Immunofixation electrophoresis differs from immunoelectrophoresis in which way?

Immunofixation electrophoresis differs from immunoelectrophoresis in which way?

• A. Electrophoresis takes place after diffusion has occurred in immunofixation electrophoresis.
• B. Better separation of proteins with the same electrophoretic mobilities is obtained in immunoelectrophoresis.
• C. In immunofixation electrophoresis, antibody is directly applied to the gel instead of being placed in a trough.
• D. Immunoelectrophoresis is a much faster procedure.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how the antibody is brought to the separated proteins after electrophoresis. In immunofixation electrophoresis, the antibody is applied directly onto the surface of the gel in a defined pattern after the proteins have been separated and fixed. The antibody then binds to its specific antigen in place, producing crisp, discrete bands that reveal which immunoglobulins are present. This direct application, rather than diffusion from a trough, is what sets it apart. In immunoelectrophoresis, by contrast, the antibody is placed in troughs at the top of the gel and allowed to diffuse into the gel to meet the separated antigens, forming precipitin lines that arc from the trough toward the antigen zones. That diffusion-based interaction produces broader, more spread-out patterns rather than the tight bands seen with immunofixation. So the distinguishing feature is that the antibody is directly applied to the gel in immunofixation electrophoresis, not placed in a trough to diffuse.

The main idea is how the antibody is brought to the separated proteins after electrophoresis. In immunofixation electrophoresis, the antibody is applied directly onto the surface of the gel in a defined pattern after the proteins have been separated and fixed. The antibody then binds to its specific antigen in place, producing crisp, discrete bands that reveal which immunoglobulins are present. This direct application, rather than diffusion from a trough, is what sets it apart.

In immunoelectrophoresis, by contrast, the antibody is placed in troughs at the top of the gel and allowed to diffuse into the gel to meet the separated antigens, forming precipitin lines that arc from the trough toward the antigen zones. That diffusion-based interaction produces broader, more spread-out patterns rather than the tight bands seen with immunofixation.

So the distinguishing feature is that the antibody is directly applied to the gel in immunofixation electrophoresis, not placed in a trough to diffuse.