Question:

Which of the following exhibits maximum mobility in an agarose gel?

Show Hint


• Supercoiled $>$ Linear $>$ Nicked (mobility)
• More compact = Faster movement
Updated On: May 13, 2026
  • Nicked Plasmid DNA
  • Supercoiled Plasmid DNA
  • Linear Plasmid DNA
  • Single stranded Plasmid DNA
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept: In agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA mobility depends on size, shape, and conformation.
• More compact structures move faster.
• Less compact or relaxed structures move slower.

Step 1:
Analyzing DNA forms.

Nicked plasmid DNA: Relaxed circular form → Slowest mobility.
Supercoiled plasmid DNA: Highly compact → Fastest mobility.
Linear plasmid DNA: Intermediate mobility.
Single stranded DNA: Less compact and behaves differently → slower than supercoiled.

Step 2:
Selecting the correct answer.
Since supercoiled DNA is most compact, it shows maximum mobility in agarose gel.
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