A serological technique used in chemotaxonomy to compare protein extracts from different plant species. An extract from each species (the antigens) is dispersed in a gel by * electrophoresis. Antisera, produced by injecting a laboratory animal with an extract from one particular species, is then allowed to diffuse through the gel in a direction at right angles to the electrophoretic separation. Precipitation arcs form where the concentrations of complementary antigen and antisera are greatest. The degree of similarity between the antigens in the gel and the antigens of the species used to produce the antisera may be estimated by observation of the number, shape, clarity, etc. of the precipitation arcs. See also serology. |
