Question

Which of the following statements is true about affinity chromatography?

(a) During the separation of a mixture of proteins, the protein which does not bind to ligand is eluted first

(b) During the separation of a mixture of proteins, the protein which does not bind to ligand is eluted last

(c) During the separation of a mixture of proteins, the protein which binds to ligand is eluted first

(d) Unwanted proteins are eluted by ligand solution

I got this question during an interview.

Enquiry is from Working with Proteins in chapter Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins of Biochemistry

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) During the separation of a mixture of proteins, the protein which does not bind to ligand is eluted first

To explain I would say: After proteins that do not bind to the ligand are washed through the column, the bound protein of particular interest is eluted.