Candy Electrophoresis Lab

I this lab, we asked the question of can molecules in food dye be separated in gel electrophoresis. We found that the dyes did separate, by observing the different groups of dye after electrophoresis. We learned from our textbook and the vodcasts, that smaller molecules of DNA travel faster and farther in electrophoresis, and larger molecules travel slower. The data is consistent with these scientific principles, because the dyes with the larger molecules did not travel as far as the smaller moleculed dyes.

1. In our experiment the bands were about the same size as the reference dyes. In some cases, our dyes were different colors than the reference dyes so they did not match up. None of the dyes moved towards the negative charge.

2. Of the dyes listed, betanin and citrus red 2 would move like our red dye, but citrus red 2 would move faster because it is a smaller molecule. Also, fast green FCF would move similarly to our green dye because it is similar in size.

3. Dog food manufacturers would put artificial colors in the food to make it more visually appealing and consumers are more likely to buy a food that is colorful and nice looking than a food looking unappealing and bland looking.

5. The factors that control how far the dyes go are time and size of molecule. The longer the electrophoresis is on for, the farther the dyes will travel. Also, the smaller molecules will travel faster, and therefore farther in the allowed time.

6. The force that allows the dyes to move through the gel is electricity. When the current runs though the gel, the molecules are repelled by the negative charge, because they are also negatively charged, and attracted to the positive charge, which propels them through the gel.

7. The gel is the component that separates the molecules by size. If it was a liquid for example, all the molecules would travel at the same speed, but the gel makes it harder for larger molecules to travel, separating out the sizes.

8. DNA molecules with different weights would separate out in different groups. The DNA with the molecular weight of 600 daltons would form a band ahead of the rest. Following would be the 1000, 2000, and 5000 in that order.