Three key characteristics of DNA that are used in studying DNA in electrophoresis are:
Size: The size of a DNA molecule is an important characteristic that can be used to differentiate different DNA fragments in electrophoresis. Larger fragments of DNA will migrate more slowly through the gel matrix in electrophoresis than smaller fragments.
Charge: DNA is a negatively charged molecule due to the presence of phosphate groups in its backbone. This characteristic makes it possible to separate DNA fragments by charge in electrophoresis.
Base composition: The base composition of DNA, particularly the ratio of A-T to G-C pairs, also influences its migration through the gel matrix in electrophoresis. DNA fragments with a high proportion of A-T base pairs will migrate more slowly than fragments with a higher proportion of G-C base pairs.
By considering these key characteristics of DNA, scientists can use electrophoresis to separate and analyze DNA fragments and determine important information about the DNA, such as its size, composition, and structure.