Explain why cellulose acetate electrophoresis is more applicable at alkaline PH than acidic PH?

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis is more applicable at alkaline pH than acidic pH because cellulose acetate is a weakly acidic polymer. At acidic pH, the cellulose acetate may become protonated, leading to changes in its charge and structure, which can affect the separation of molecules during electrophoresis.

On the other hand, at alkaline pH, the cellulose acetate remains in its deprotonated form, allowing for more stable and consistent separation of molecules based on their charge and size. Additionally, many biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, have a net negative charge at alkaline pH, making them more easily separated and detected using cellulose acetate electrophoresis.

Overall, the alkaline pH provides a more suitable environment for cellulose acetate electrophoresis to effectively separate and analyze biological molecules.