electrophorese: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “electrophorese” mean?
To subject a substance (especially proteins, DNA, or other biological molecules) to electrophoresis—a laboratory technique where charged particles are separated by moving them through a medium using an electric field.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To subject a substance (especially proteins, DNA, or other biological molecules) to electrophoresis—a laboratory technique where charged particles are separated by moving them through a medium using an electric field.
The act of running or performing electrophoresis on a sample as part of analytical or preparative procedures in chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may vary (e.g., 'analyse' vs. 'analyze' in the context of results).
Connotations
Exclusively technical/scientific in both variants.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, used almost exclusively in laboratory contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “electrophorese” in a Sentence
[Subject: Researcher] + electrophorese + [Direct Object: Sample] + [Adjunct: on/through/in gel/medium][Sample] + be + electrophoresed + [Adjunct: to separate/for analysis]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “electrophorese” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to electrophorese the PCR products on a 2% agarose gel to check their size.
- The digested plasmid was electrophoresed overnight at low voltage.
American English
- After extraction, we'll electrophorese the proteins on an SDS-PAGE gel.
- The RNA samples were electrophoresed and then transferred to a membrane for blotting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics laboratory reports and papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core laboratory procedure verb for describing a fundamental step in analytical workflows.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “electrophorese”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “electrophorese”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “electrophorese”
- Using as a noun (e.g., 'I did an electrophorese' – incorrect; correct: 'I performed an electrophoresis' or 'I electrophoresed the sample').
- Omitting the direct object (it is a transitive verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly technical verb used almost exclusively in scientific laboratory contexts, particularly in biochemistry and molecular biology.
The noun is 'electrophoresis'. The verb means 'to perform electrophoresis on' something.
Almost never. It is primarily a transitive verb requiring a direct object (the sample being processed).
Yes, the primary difference is in the stress and the vowel in the 'phor' syllable. British English tends towards /ɪˌlɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈriːz/, while American English often uses /əˌlɛktroʊfəˈriːz/.
To subject a substance (especially proteins, DNA, or other biological molecules) to electrophoresis—a laboratory technique where charged particles are separated by moving them through a medium using an electric field.
Electrophorese is usually technical/scientific in register.
Electrophorese: in British English it is pronounced /ɪˌlɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈriːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌlɛktroʊfəˈriːz/ iˌlɛktrəfəˈriːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ELECTRICity moves PHORES (like 'to bear') the molecules ESE (east) across the gel—'electro-phores-east'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LABORATORY PROCEDURE IS A JOURNEY (molecules migrate/travel through a gel).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean to 'electrophorese' a sample?