Colorful Electrophoresis
Source Institutions
-
University of Utah
Add to listGo to activity
In this activity, learners follow step-by-step instructions to build a gel electrophoresis chamber using inexpensive materials from local hardware and electronic stores. Then, learners follow instructions to simulate DNA electrophoresis using food colors from the kitchen pantry.
- 2 to 4 hours
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Electrophoresis chamber, gel form and comb
- Power supply that produces 50-150 volts
- Agar granules
- Salt solution
- Commercial food colors
- Filter paper circles (cut out with hole punch)
- Tweezers
- Masking tape
- Water
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Heredity and Genetics
- DNA Structure and Function
- Heredity and Genetics
- Physical Sciences
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Charges and Currents
- Electricity and Magnetism
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah
Source Collection:
- Teach.Genetics
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, University of Utah, ©2012
