Electrophoresis << ih `lehk` troh fuh REE sihs >> is a method of separating and purifying large biological molecules, such as proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), through the use of an electric field. Scientists use purified molecules for chemical and medical purposes.
In electrophoresis, a solution containing a mixture of large molecules is placed on a conductive support, such as wet paper or a gel. An electric current is then applied to the solution, producing an electric field that causes the positively charged molecules to move in one direction and the negatively charged ones in another. In addition, the molecules of each substance in the solution have a specific charge and therefore move in the field at different rates. Eventually, the molecules are separated at different positions on the support. The current is then turned off, and the separated molecules are removed from the support.
