Discussion Questions
Goal: Allow students to use their knowledge of gel electrophoresis to answer the questions.

Questions:

Why do we cut up the DNA before running it on the gel?

What is the purpose of the dye?

Why is it important to have clear bands on the gel?

Why do we use a buffer, not just water or air?

What happens when the voltage is turned up on the machine?

What happens if more agarose were added to the gel initially?

Is DNA positively charged or negatively charged? How does this effect gel electrophoresis?

Besides forensics, can you think of any other uses of gel electrophoresis?