The comb in gel electrophoresis serves a crucial role in the preparation of the gel. Its primary purpose is to create wells in the gel where samples can be loaded for analysis.
When the gel is poured, the comb is inserted into the liquid gel solution before it solidifies. Once the gel has set, the comb is carefully removed, leaving behind wells in the gel matrix. These wells are where DNA, RNA, or proteins are placed for electrophoretic separation.
In summary, the comb not only helps in organizing the samples but also ensures that each sample is placed in a specific position within the gel, facilitating a controlled and systematic analysis during electrophoresis.