Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I want to determine if two different types of plants use the same molecule for pigment. To prepare my sample, I want to know if I should add dye with the plant DNA or not, so it can show in the gel?

Hi fatimalol,

I’m assuming that you are working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

I’m not very familiar with this project but I don’t think you would add a dye to your sample. Any pigment present should be visible in the gel after separation.

Also, the contributors to the Physical Science section of the forum are mostly physicists, chemists and engineers. You may be able to get better advice on your project in the Life, Earth and Social Sciences section.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman