AGAROSE CHROMATOGRAPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Agarose chromatography is a type of molecular separation technique used in laboratory settings to purify and separate molecules based on their size and charge. It employs agarose gel, a polysaccharide matrix extracted from seaweed, as the stationary phase in the chromatographic process.
The agarose gel is prepared by heating and dissolving agarose powder in a buffer solution, which is then allowed to solidify into a gel matrix. This gel matrix contains uniform microscopic pores that act as sieves, enabling the separation of molecules based on their size. The size of the gel pores can be adjusted by varying the agarose concentration, allowing for different types of separations.
In agarose chromatography, a mixture of molecules is applied to the top of the gel bed and allowed to flow through the matrix. As the sample solution passes through the gel, smaller molecules can enter and traverse the pores more easily and hence elute faster, while larger molecules are slowed down due to their restricted access to the pores. This differential movement of molecules through the gel matrix leads to their separation based on size.
The separated molecules are collected in fractions, usually by collecting tubes placed at the bottom of the chromatography column. Agarose chromatography is widely used in purification of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and it finds applications in various fields including biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
Common Misspellings for AGAROSE CHROMATOGRAPHY
- zgarose chromatography
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- aharose chromatography
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- agzrose chromatography
- agsrose chromatography
- agwrose chromatography
- agqrose chromatography
- agaeose chromatography
- agadose chromatography
- agafose chromatography
- agatose chromatography
- aga5ose chromatography
- aga4ose chromatography
Etymology of AGAROSE CHROMATOGRAPHY
The word "agarose" refers to the type of gel matrix used in chromatographic techniques. Agarose is derived from the polysaccharide agar, which is obtained from seaweeds. It was first discovered and named in the late 19th century by Anselme Payen, a French chemist. The term "chromatography" has its roots in the Greek words "chroma" meaning color and "graphy" meaning writing. It was coined by Mikhail Tsvet, a Russian botanist, in the early 20th century to describe a technique used to separate pigments in plants. Therefore, "agarose chromatography" refers to a method that utilizes an agarose gel matrix for the separation and purification of molecules based on their size and other properties.
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