a. What is gel electrophoresis? Answer. Gel electrophoresis is the method of separation of DNA or protein samples in a gel on the basis of charge. DNA has negative charge. In the gel, the DNA is placed in wells on the cathode (negative electrode). As a universal fact, all anions move towards anode (positive electrode) in electric field. Smaller the size of the DNA sample, more it will move in the electric field and vice-versa. So, based on their sizes all the DNA samples will be separated from one another. b. Describe the gene and the Alu insert. ** You haven’t mentioned what gene. “Alu” insert: This is a short stretch of conserved DNA segment in all primates. It is used in study of population genetics, and is generally found in transposable elements. In humans, \"Alu\" elements are repeated, and are also known as SINEs (Short Interspersed nuclear elements). By identifying the \'Alu\' elements in a genome, the relation between transposable element and interspersed repeated elements between them can be studied. Solution a. What is gel electrophoresis? Answer. Gel electrophoresis is the method of separation of DNA or protein samples in a gel on the basis of charge. DNA has negative charge. In the gel, the DNA is placed in wells on the cathode (negative electrode). As a universal fact, all anions move towards anode (positive electrode) in electric field. Smaller the size of the DNA sample, more it will move in the electric field and vice-versa. So, based on their sizes all the DNA samples will be separated from one another. b. Describe the gene and the Alu insert. ** You haven’t mentioned what gene. “Alu” insert: This is a short stretch of conserved DNA segment in all primates. It is used in study of population genetics, and is generally found in transposable elements. In humans, \"Alu\" elements are repeated, and are also known as SINEs (Short Interspersed nuclear elements). By identifying the \'Alu\' elements in a genome, the relation between transposable element and interspersed repeated elements between them can be studied..