[scientizscht (OP)]

hello!

What affects the rate of movement in electrophoresis?

I suppose larger charges move faster, but what happens with weight/volume?

Thanks!

[chris]

Electrophoretic mobility is proportional to the density of the gel being used, the applied potential difference, the size(s) of the fragments being separated and the charge on those fragments.

[scientizscht (OP)]

Electrophoretic mobility is proportional to the density of the gel being used, the applied potential difference, the size(s) of the fragments being separated and the charge on those fragments.

So larger go slower?

[chris]

In general, yes; the larger molecule is harder for the field to drag through the gel; but this may be balanced by the charge on the fragment. So a large but highly charged protein species could still move more than a smaller species with fewer charges, for instance.