Question

Fluorescent derivatives of amino acids separated by capillary zone electrophoresis had migration times with the following order: arginine (fastest) , phenylalanine , asparagine , serine , glycine(slowest). Explain why arginine has the shortest migration time.

Short answer

Considering that arginine is the least negative of the listed amino acids, it would move towards the anode slower and towards the cathode it would be the fastest.

Step-by-step solution

Define amino acid:

Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life.

Fluorescent derivatives of amino acids:

Fluorescent derivatives of amino acids are separated by capillary zone electrophoresis with the following order: arginine (fastest), phenylalanine, asparagine, serine, and glycine (slowest).

 Find arginine has the shortest migration time:

The listed compounds in the task are all amino acids, where only arginine contains positive side chain, whereas other amino acids have negatively charged side chains.

Explanation for the arginine:

Considering that arginine is the least negative of the listed amino acids, it would move towards the anode slower and towards the cathode (electroosmosis) it would be the fastest.