At pH 8.6, proteins are _________ charged and migrate toward the _________.

At pH 8.6, proteins are _________ charged and migrate toward the _________.

• A. Negatively, anode
• B. Positively, cathode
• C. Positively, anode
• D. Negatively, cathode

Answer: (A)

At pH 8.6, proteins typically exist in a negatively charged state due to the ionization of their carboxyl groups and potentially the terminal amino groups. This pH is above the isoelectric point (pI) for many proteins, meaning they have a net negative charge. As a result, when an electric field is applied, proteins will migrate toward the anode, which is the positively charged electrode. The behavior of proteins in an electric field is a fundamental concept in techniques like electrophoresis, where the charge of the protein in relation to pH influences its movement. This negative charge at pH 8.6 leads proteins to migrate toward the anode, confirming the answer is accurate. Other options imply that proteins have a different charge or move toward the wrong electrode, which does not align with the established principles of protein chemistry and electrophoresis.

At pH 8.6, proteins typically exist in a negatively charged state due to the ionization of their carboxyl groups and potentially the terminal amino groups. This pH is above the isoelectric point (pI) for many proteins, meaning they have a net negative charge. As a result, when an electric field is applied, proteins will migrate toward the anode, which is the positively charged electrode.

The behavior of proteins in an electric field is a fundamental concept in techniques like electrophoresis, where the charge of the protein in relation to pH influences its movement. This negative charge at pH 8.6 leads proteins to migrate toward the anode, confirming the answer is accurate. Other options imply that proteins have a different charge or move toward the wrong electrode, which does not align with the established principles of protein chemistry and electrophoresis.