Electrophoresis is a fundamental tool of the molecular biologist.
In this laboratory exercise, you will be introduced to electrophoresis by studying the electrophoretic mobility of various forms of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. Later this semester you will use electrophoresis to analyse other proteins and DNA molecules. Background - Electrophoresis Electrophoresis is based on the observation that charged particles in solution migrate when subjected to an electric field. The rate of migration is determined by the number of charged groups on the molecule and by the molecule's size. Therefore, molecules which vary in size and charge will migrate at different rates.