Which molecules does PAGE primarily separate?

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) is primarily used for the separation of proteins based on their size and charge. This technique utilizes a polyacrylamide gel, which provides a matrix through which proteins can migrate when an electric field is applied. The size of the pores in the gel can be adjusted, allowing for the separation of proteins that differ in molecular weight.

When proteins are subjected to PAGE, they are generally denatured, meaning they unfold and lose their functional structure, which allows for a more accurate separation based solely on size rather than their native structure or charge. Therefore, proteins are resolved into bands on the gel, which can then be visualized and analyzed.

Other biological molecules like DNA, carbohydrates, and nucleotides can be separated using different types of electrophoresis or other methods but are not the primary focus of PAGE. For instance, agarose gel electrophoresis is more commonly used for separating DNA fragments, while carbohydrates and nucleotides typically require different techniques for effective separation due to their unique structural properties.