Electrophoresis vs. Chromatography — What's the Difference?

Electrophoresis utilizes an electric field to migrate charged particles through a medium.

Chromatography operates based on differential absorption.

Electrophoresis can resolve complex mixtures into their components.

Chromatography involves passing a mixture through a stationary phase.

Electrophoresis is instrumental in DNA sequencing and fingerprinting.

Chromatography is a method for separating components of a mixture.

Electrophoresis is a lab technique for separating molecules by size and charge.

Chromatography is critical in chemical analysis and research.

Electrophoresis (from the Greek "ηλεκτροφόρηση" meaning "to bear electrons") is the motion of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric field. Electrophoresis of positively charged particles (cations) is sometimes called cataphoresis, while electrophoresis of negatively charged particles (anions) is sometimes called anaphoresis.

Chromatography is a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. The mixture is dissolved in a fluid (gas or solvent) called the mobile phase, which carries it through a system (a column, a capillary tube, a plate, or a sheet) on which is fixed a material called the stationary phase.

The migration of charged colloidal particles or molecules through a stationary medium under the influence of an applied electric field usually provided by immersed electrodes. Also called cataphoresis.

Any of various techniques for the separation of complex mixtures that rely on the differential affinities of substances for a mobile (gas or liquid) medium and for a stationary adsorbing (liquid or solid) medium through which they pass, such as paper, gelatin, or silica.

A method of separating substances, especially proteins, and analyzing molecular structure based on the rate of movement of each component in a colloidal suspension while under the influence of an electric field.

(analytical chemistry) Any of various techniques for the qualitative or quantitative separation of the components of mixtures of compounds; all characterised by the use of a mobile phase (gas or liquid) moving relative to a stationary phase (liquid or solid) – the differences between the rates of migration of the compounds between the two phases effects the separation.

(electricity) the migration of electrically charged molecules through a medium under the influence of an electric field

A treatise on colors

(analytical chemistry) (biochemistry), a method for the separation and analysis of large molecules (such as proteins) by migrating a colloidal solution of them through a gel; gel electrophoresis

An analytical and preparative technique for separating substances by differences in their selective adsorption to solids, by passing a liquid over the solid, to which the substances to be separated have usually been adsorbed in a preliminary step. The major variations are column chromatography, in which the substances to be separated are adsorbed to a column with any of a wide variety of adsorbing solids in powdered or granulated form; paper chromatography, in which the solids are applied as a spot at one end of a strip of absorbent paper (such as filter paper), and the liquid is percolated through the paper by capillary action; and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which is similar to paper chromatography, but the adsorbent material is, instead of paper, a thin layer of finely powdered material, such as cellulose or silica, on a backing of glass or plastic, called a TLC plate. A modern version of column chromatography is high-performance liquid chromatography, usually referred to as HPLC.

The motion of charged molecules or particles in a liquid medium under the influence of an electric field; particles with a positive charge move toward the cathode and negative to the anode.

A process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency

The application of the principle of electrophoresis to separate molecules, used as an analytical or preparative technique; as, separation by electrophoresis; gel electrophoresis.

Chromatography can purify substances for further use.

The motion of charged particles in a colloid under the influence of an electric field; particles with a positive charge go to the cathode and negative to the anode

Electrophoresis is used in laboratories for biomolecule separation.

Chromatography separates components but can also help in identifying and quantifying them.

Gel electrophoresis uses electric fields on gels, while paper chromatography uses capillary action on paper.

Yes, with proper standards, electrophoresis can be used for quantitative analysis.

Yes, an appropriate buffer is necessary to maintain pH and conductivity during electrophoresis.

Electrophoresis is best for charged biological molecules, not all molecule types.

Yes, gas chromatography is specifically designed for analyzing volatile substances.

It selectively impedes different components to aid in their separation.

It's the solvent that carries the sample through the stationary phase.

Electrophoresis is used for separating DNA, RNA, or protein molecules for analysis.

Yes, there are many automated systems for different forms of chromatography.

The choice depends on the type of sample and the analysis goals.

Common types include liquid, gas, paper, and thin-layer chromatography.

Yes, including agarose gel, polyacrylamide gel, and capillary electrophoresis.

Avoiding exposure to the electric current and toxic chemicals used is crucial.

Yes, chromatography is widely used for protein purification.