Q. 1. Explain how gel filtration chromatography (size exclusion chromatography) separates molecules on the basis of their mass/size.
A. In gel filtration, porous beads are packed into a column. The pores are of different size. The column is then packed with a buffer solution. This buffer solution is present inside the beads as well as around it. When molecules of different size pass through the columns, the smaller molecules pass through the pores and take a longer path. The larger molecules, however, travel around the beads. Thus, larger molecules travel faster than the ...