When an electric field is applied, positively charged particles (cations) in the gel or membrane will move toward the negative electrode (cathode), while negatively charged particles (anions) will move toward the positive electrode (anode). This movement of charged particles creates a difference in osmotic pressure between the two sides of the membrane. The side of the membrane that contains the higher concentration of cations will have a higher osmotic pressure than the side that contains the higher concentration of anions.
As a result of this difference in osmotic pressure, water molecules will move from the side of the membrane with the lower osmotic pressure to the side with the higher osmotic pressure. This movement of water molecules is called endosmotic flow.
Endosmotic flow can have several effects on the electrophoretic separation of charged particles. First, it can cause the particles to move faster or slower than they would in the absence of endosmotic flow. Second, it can change the direction of particle movement. Third, it can cause the particles to spread out more or less than they would in the absence of endosmotic flow.
The effects of endosmotic flow on electrophoretic separation can be controlled by manipulating the composition of the gel or membrane and the strength of the electric field.
