The spelling of "cell electrophoresis" can seem tricky, but it can be easily explained with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. /sɛl ɪˌlɛktrəfoʊˈrisɪs/ is composed of the sounds /s/ for the "s" in "cell", /ɛ/ for the "e" in "cell" and "electrophoresis", /l/ for the "l" in "cell" and "electrophoresis", /ɪ/ for the "i" in "cell" and "electrophoresis", /ˌɛlɛktrə/ for the "elec" in "electrophoresis", /foʊ/ for the "pho" in "electrophoresis", and /ˈrɪsɪs/ for the "
Cell electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate and analyze charged particles, such as proteins or nucleic acids, based on their mobility in an electric field within a gel matrix. This technique relies on the principle of electrophoresis, which involves the migration of charged molecules in response to an electric field.
In cell electrophoresis, a sample containing the charged molecules is loaded into a gel matrix, most commonly agarose or polyacrylamide. This gel serves as a support medium in which the molecules can move under the influence of an electrical current applied across the gel. The gel matrix creates a sieving effect, allowing smaller molecules to migrate faster through the gel than larger ones.
The gel is immersed in a buffer solution that conducts electricity and provides the ions necessary for the migration of charged particles. An electric current is applied, and the charged particles migrate through the gel towards the oppositely charged electrode, with the rate of migration determined by their size, shape, and net charge.
Once the electrophoresis run is complete, the gel is stained or treated with specific dyes or antibodies to visualize the separated molecules. By comparing the migration patterns of known standards or control samples, researchers can determine the size, charge, and concentration of the molecules present in the original sample.
Cell electrophoresis is a powerful tool in molecular biology and biochemistry research as it allows for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures, enabling the identification and characterization of specific molecules of interest. It has applications in various fields, including gene expression analysis, protein characterization, DNA sequencing, and diagnosis of genetic diseases.
The word "cell electrophoresis" is derived from two main components: "cell" and "electrophoresis".
The term "cell" in this context refers to a small compartment used in laboratory equipment or techniques. It originates from the Latin "cella", meaning a small room or chamber. In the context of electrophoresis, a cell refers to the gel or capillary chamber where the separation of charged particles takes place.
The term "electrophoresis" is composed of two Greek words: "electro" meaning "related to electricity" and "phoresis" meaning "motion" or "movement". Therefore, "electrophoresis" can be translated as the "motion/movement caused by electricity". It describes the process in which charged molecules or particles move through a medium (such as a gel or a liquid) under the influence of an electric field.