Which of the following factors affects the rate of migration of ions in electrophoresis?

The rate of migration of ions in electrophoresis is influenced by multiple factors, making the choice of including net charge, size and shape of the ion, properties of the support medium, and ionic strength of the buffer the most comprehensive.

The net charge of a molecule is crucial because ions with a greater charge will experience a stronger force in the electric field, leading to faster migration. Additionally, the size of the molecule plays a significant role; larger molecules may experience greater resistance in the support medium, which can slow their migration compared to smaller ions.

The shape of the molecule is also impactful, as it can affect how easily the ion moves through the gel or medium; a more elongated structure might face more resistance than a compact one, thus influencing its speed. The support medium itself, such as agarose or polyacrylamide gel, has varying porosities that can hinder or facilitate the movement of different sized molecules. Finally, the ionic strength of the buffer can affect the overall electric conductivity of the solution and the interactions between charged molecules and the medium, further influencing migration rates.

In contrast, focusing solely on any one factor, such as temperature and electric field strength, or just the net charge or size alone, would fail to encompass