Question

Name and explain the techniques used in the separation and isolation of DNA fragments to be used in recombinant DNA technology.

Answer 1

Technique: Agarose gel electrophoresis.

Steps:

1. DNA fragments are loaded into wells of an agarose gel, which is a natural polymer from seaweed. 
2. Electric current is applied, and negatively charged DNA moves towards the anode. 
3. Smaller fragments move faster and bigger fragments move slower, so they separate by size. 
4. DNA is stained with ethidium bromide and seen as bright orange bands under UV light. 
5. The desired bands are cut out and the DNA is eluted from the gel piece. 
6. The purified fragments are then joined with cloning vectors.