Describe the behavior of a mixture of glutamic acid, arginine, and valine on paper electrophoresis at pH \(6.0\).

Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules, like amino acids, based on their size and charge. In paper electrophoresis, a mixture containing the molecules is placed on a paper strip and an electric field is applied. The charged molecules will then move towards the electrode with the opposite charge. The distance they travel depends on the size and charge of the molecule. Smaller, more charged molecules will generally move farther.

The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH at which an amino acid molecule has a net charge of 0. The pI values for glutamic acid, arginine, and valine are as follows: - Glutamic Acid: pI = 3.22 - Arginine: pI = 10.76 - Valine: pI = 6.02

Here, the given pH is 6.0. To find the charge on each amino acid at this pH, we compare it with their pI values, and consider the acidic (carboxyl, COOH) and basic (amino, NH2) functional groups present in their side chains: - Glutamic Acid (pI = 3.22): Since pH > pI, glutamic acid will lose a proton (H+) from its acidic side chain, forming a negative charge. Thus, its charge will be -1. - Arginine (pI = 10.76): Since pH < pI, arginine will gain a proton (H+) at its basic side chain, forming a positive charge. Thus, its charge will be +1. - Valine (pI = 6.02): Since the pH is very close to the pI, valine will have a near-neutral charge. But since pH < pI, it will slightly gain a proton and have a very weak positive charge.

Glutamic acid will have a negative charge and will move towards the positive electrode (anode). Arginine will have a positive charge and will move towards the negative electrode (cathode). Valine will have a very weak positive charge and will move very slowly towards the negative electrode (cathode). In summary, the mixture of glutamic acid, arginine, and valine on paper electrophoresis at pH 6.0 will show distinct migration patterns due to their different charges. Glutamic acid will move towards the positive electrode, while arginine and valine will move towards the negative electrode, with valine moving at a slower pace.