When cloning a gene, one of the steps is to use restriction enzymes to insert the gene of interest into a vector. If you separated the empty vector (the vector without the gene of interest) and the cloned vector (the vector that has the gene of interest added) using agarose gel electrophoresis, what do you expect to observe on the agarose gel if both vectors are loaded at the same position at the top of the gel?
A) The empty vector would migrate farther down than the cloned vector.
B) The cloned vector would migrate farther down than the cloned vector.
C) The empty vector would migrate the same distance as the cloned vector.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cloned vector will be heavier due to the addition of the gene of interest, which will slow it down as it migrates down the gel. The empty vector, on the other hand, lacks the added weight and will migrate faster, settling further down the gel than the cloned vector. Therefore, the empty vector is expected to migrate farther down than the cloned vector.

When Cloning a Gene, One of the Steps Is to Use