Question

Given below are two statements :
one is labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A) :
Electrophoretic procedures are generally not used to purify proteins.
Reason (R) :
Electrophoresis is an analytical metho
D.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Remember:
• Electrophoresis \(\rightarrow\) Mainly analytical technique
• Chromatography \(\rightarrow\) Commonly used for purification \[ \text{SDS-PAGE is widely used for protein analysis, not large-scale purification} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Electrophoresis is a technique in which charged molecules migrate in an electric field. It is widely used for:
• Separation of proteins and nucleic acids
• Determination of molecular size
• Analysis of purity
• Identification of biomolecules Electrophoresis is mainly considered an: \[ \text{Analytical method} \] because it is generally used to analyze biomolecules rather than to obtain large-scale purified protein preparations.

Step 1: Evaluating Assertion (A). The assertion states: \[ \text{Electrophoretic procedures are generally not used to purify proteins} \] This is correct because electrophoresis is mainly employed for analytical purposes and only small quantities of proteins are handled. Large-scale protein purification is usually carried out by:
• Ion-exchange chromatography
• Affinity chromatography
• Gel filtration chromatography Therefore: \[ \boxed{(A) \text{ is correct}} \]

Step 2: Evaluating Reason (R). The reason states: \[ \text{Electrophoresis is an analytical method} \] This statement is also correct. Electrophoresis is commonly used to:
• Examine protein composition
• Estimate molecular weight
• Assess sample purity Hence: \[ \boxed{(R) \text{ is correct}} \]

Step 3: Determining whether (R) explains (A). Since electrophoresis is primarily analytical rather than preparative: \[ \text{It is generally not preferred for protein purification} \] Thus: \[ \boxed{(R) \text{ correctly explains } (A)} \] Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(A)\ \text{Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)}} \]