Would like to know why was the question about "diffusional spreading"
not answered. I thought it would help me to understand the separation
of proteins in a test tube. Please answer soon.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 Jan 2005 16:09 PST

Perhaps you can tell us why the Request for Clarification of your
original question received no response.  Were you aware that it had
been posted?  If not, please have a look and let us know your
thoughts.

Thanks.

pafalafa-ga

tedmccall and pafalafa- 

   The answer is simple.  Given your the vagueness of the question the
answer could be one of several things.   Diffusional spreading in
protein separation methods usually refers to a broading of the band in
which the protein is detected.  Depending on the separation technique
the proteins may be separated by size, molecular weight or
electrostatic charge.  In these methods proteins are more easily
identified if the protein stay tightly banded together.  However this
may not happen if the proteins have some internal variation based on
molecular weight, or charge.  This could be due to a variety of
factors such as heterogeneity in the protein structure,  variation in
protein mobility or fluidity.

So turning back to the original question.  What was the type of test
that was described in your biochemistry textbook?  Any other
information in the figure and the surrounding text?    Science is a
big and complex subject and the answer is critically dependent on the
type of question.