| One of the many DNA tests that it is important to | | | | or small nucleic acids (such as DNA), the gel is made |
| comprehend to get a better understanding of | | | | up of different concentrations of acrylamide and a |
| laboratory DNA testing is gel electrophoresis. This | | | | cross-linker. |
| test is one used by anyone that is doing DNA testing | | | | The scientist then makes small wells in the gel so |
| because of its ability to differentiate between the | | | | that they can insert microliters of the sample in them. |
| different fragments of the DNA, thus it is suitable for | | | | They put the gel into a container that allows for an |
| most comparisons and family relationship testing | | | | electrical current to go through it. By putting the |
| processed. These fragments of DNA, as found as | | | | charge through the electrophoresis container, they |
| evidenced in murder and rape criminal cases, can help | | | | are allowing the molecules to move away from the |
| a forensic scientist try and determine who, and more | | | | negative anode and towards the anode. They move, |
| importantly if the accused, is guilty of the crime in | | | | usually, based on their molecular weight. Different |
| question. However, it is also used for many other | | | | base pairs weigh different amounts and placement of |
| scientific purposes, and the principle that make it | | | | the different codons on the gel determines, |
| work are relatively simple to understand in laymen's | | | | potentially, what the different components are. |
| terms. | | | | The next step in this particular DNA test is to stain |
| Using an endonuclease which is an enzyme, the | | | | the gel. By using ethidium bromide, testers can make |
| scientist can fragment the DNA down to its three | | | | the gel readable and observable. They can compare |
| base pairs, commonly called codons. By doing this, | | | | known gels to this unknown and try and determine |
| they take a very large DNA sample and they make it | | | | what the different base pairs are in this sample. |
| much smaller and much easier to use. By making it | | | | Therefore, regardless of what the use of the |
| smaller and easier to use, the scientist can then run | | | | electrophoresis is, it can help the scientist identify |
| the gel electrophoresis and observe the different | | | | different molecular components found in an unknown |
| molecular weights. They then try to determine what | | | | sample. |
| amino acids are present and by pushing the genetic | | | | Some other branches of science that this tool is used |
| code through the gel, scientists can begin to | | | | for are forensics, molecular biology, genetics, |
| differentiate between the two. | | | | microbiology and biochemistry, in which this form of |
| Once they have created the fragments of DNA, the | | | | gel testing can be used to draw parallels and |
| next step is to run it through the gel. The gel is | | | | distinctions. However, many other branches of both |
| usually a cross linked polymer which is chosen based | | | | biology and chemistry use this test an effective way |
| on the weight and composition of the sample they | | | | to examine different substances and to compare |
| are analyzing. When scientists are separating proteins | | | | where potentially relevant similarities exist. |