In 500 words please answer to both parts of the questions In

In 500 words please answer to both parts of the questions.

In studying a particular biomolecule (a protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid) in the laboratory, the biochemist first needs to separate it from other biomolecules in the sample—that is, to purify it. However, by looking at the monomeric subunits of a biomolecule, you should have some ideas about the characteristics of the molecule that would allow you to separate it from other molecules. For example, how would you separate (a) amino acids from fatty acids and (b) nucleotides from glucose?

***Please answer in your own word***

Solution

Solution of part (a)

The amino acids and fatty acids differ from each other in the number of functional groups. The mixture of amino acids and fatty acids can be separated from each other on the basis of their solubility in water. The amino acids and generally soluble in water in comparison to fatty acids.The paper chromatography can be used for their separation. The process generally involves the use of cellulose paper which supports the medium over which the solvent flows. The cellulose is the stationary phase and the solvent that flows is in the mobile phase. the solvent is teen made to flow over the stationary phase. As the solvent passes through the paper containing the mixture of compounds, the solute particles start separating according to the solubility of the particles. The solute particles that are more soluble moves faster on the paper while the molecule which is less soluble moves slowly. Conversely, it can be stated that if the solute is moving slowly it has the greater affinity for water. The distance by which the solute moves, in relation to the solvent, moved, the unit R_f determines the identification of the solute and is given by the formula

R_f = Distance traveled by solute / Distance traveled by solvent front

The spot if obtained is colorless as it is in a case of amino acids it is sprayed by ninhydrin which provides amino acids brown or purple color making the identification easier. The other methods for the identification of amino acids are fluorescence and radioactivity.

Solution of part (b)

The nucleotides molecules consist of a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a five-carbon sugar while the glucose molecule is a six carbon sugar. this means that the nucleotide molecule is much larger in size and weight in comparison to the glucose molecule. The mixture of nucleotide and glucose molecule can be separated on the basis on the basis of size or the difference of charge and solubility of the molecules. If you decide to separate it on the basis of size then the process of size exclusion chromatography can be used. The nucleotides being more larger in size will migrate faster than the glucose. the process involves the influx of the mixture into a column matrix containing cross-linked polymers with pores of selected sizes. the molecules with larger size migrate faster than the smaller molecules, as the pores being small and allow the larger molecules move faster directly from the column. the molecule that is smaller in size enters and pores and is thus directed slowly through the labyrinthine path of the column. So, in this case, the mixture of nucleotide and glucose molecule is released into the column. The nucleotide molecule being larger migrates faster than the glucose molecules, thus separating faster than the glucose molecule. Another method that can also be used is Ion exchange chromatography. In this method, the separation can be done on the basis of the difference in the net charge of the nucleotide and the glucose molecule. The nucleotide molecule will have more net chage at differnt pH than the glucose molecule thus making the separation easier. The cation and anion exchangers are used according to the net difference of the charge of the both molecules.