What is the role of BSA in SDS-PAGE analysis?

In SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) analysis, BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) is often used as a protein standard. It serves as a reference point to estimate the molecular weight of unknown proteins based on their migration distance in the gel. BSA has a well-defined molecular weight and migrates predictably in the gel, allowing for accurate calibration of the gel. This helps researchers determine the molecular weights of proteins in their samples by comparing them to the known migration distances of BSA.