Question

Sephadex G-15 exclude molecules of molecular weight greater than 1500. What is the predicted result if a protein mixture consisting of Haemoglobin ( ) and Ribonuclease ( ) is run through a Sephadex column?
Both Haemoglobin and Ribonuclease will elute from the column at the same time because they are both larger than the exclusion size.
Ribonuclease will elute from the column first because it is smaller.
Both Haemoglobin and Ribonuclease will elute from the column at the same time because they are both smaller than the exclusion size.
Haemoglobin will elute from the column first because it is larger.

Ask by Salinas Wade. in Australia
Mar 25,2025

Upstudy AI Solution

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Answer

Both Haemoglobin and Ribonuclease will elute from the column at the same time because they are both larger than the exclusion size.

Solution

To analyze the situation with the Sephadex G-15 column, we need to consider the molecular weights of the proteins in relation to the exclusion limit of the column.
  1. Exclusion Limit: Sephadex G-15 excludes molecules with a molecular weight greater than 1500.
  2. Molecular Weights:
    • Haemoglobin:
    • Ribonuclease:
Now, let’s evaluate the options based on the molecular weights:
  • Haemoglobin (64000) is much larger than the exclusion limit (1500), so it will not pass through the column.
  • Ribonuclease (12000) is also larger than the exclusion limit (1500), so it too will not pass through the column.
Since both proteins are larger than the exclusion limit, they will not be able to elute through the column. However, since Ribonuclease has a smaller molecular weight than Haemoglobin, it will be retained in the column for a shorter time compared to Haemoglobin.
Thus, the correct conclusion is:
Both Haemoglobin and Ribonuclease will elute from the column at the same time because they are both larger than the exclusion size.

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Ribonuclease will elute from the column first because it is smaller. Sephadex G-15 is designed to exclude larger molecules, effectively allowing smaller ones to pass through its porous matrix. Since Ribonuclease has a molecular weight of , it is under the cutoff and can navigate through the pores, while Haemoglobin, at , will be retained longer in the column’s larger matrix.
In real-world applications, size exclusion chromatography like Sephadex G-15 is widely used in biochemistry for protein purification. Researchers take advantage of the differing sizes of biomolecules to separate proteins, nucleic acids, or even small metabolites. By leveraging this technique, scientists can isolate specific proteins from complex mixtures, aiding in drug development, diagnostics, and even basic research in understanding biomolecular interactions!

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