Electrophoresis is used to separate which types of biological molecules?

Prepare for the Science Olympiad Designer Genes Exam with engaging questions and comprehensive explanations. Boost your understanding of genetic principles and excel in your competition!

Electrophoresis is a versatile analytical technique that separates biological molecules based on their size and charge. The method employs an electric field to drive the charged molecules through a gel matrix. As a result, different types of biological macromolecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, are capable of being effectively separated and analyzed using this method.

For DNA, the technique typically involves the use of agarose gels, where fragments are separated based on size, allowing for applications such as DNA sizing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RNA can also be separated using electrophoresis, commonly with denaturing conditions to ensure proper separation based on length. Proteins are separated using polyacrylamide gels, with variations like SDS-PAGE employed to separate proteins based on size.

Thus, the correct answer encompasses the broad applicability of electrophoresis to various molecules, not limited to just one type. This versatility makes it a fundamental method in molecular biology and biochemistry for studying and analyzing complex mixtures of biological molecules.

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