High-resolution protein electrophoresis separates proteins into how many bands?

• A. 12
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 20

Answer: (A)

High-resolution protein electrophoresis increases resolving power, so proteins that migrate closely can be separated into distinct bands rather than merging into a few broad regions. By using finer gels and optimized buffers and conditions, components within the major regions (albumin and the globulins across alpha, beta, and gamma zones) are subdivided into multiple discrete bands. This greater discrimination reveals many more bands than the standard procedure, including several subfractions within the gamma region and other regions that would otherwise appear as single bands. Clinically, this finer pattern helps distinguish subtle abnormalities, such as monoclonal versus polyclonal rises, because each component can be tracked separately. That’s why high-resolution electrophoresis is described as producing a substantially larger number of bands compared with conventional methods.