E.coli grown on a 15N medium is transferred to a 14N medium and allowed to grow for two more generations (two rounds of DNA replication). DNA extracted from these cells is centrifuged. What density distribution of DNA would you expect in this experiment?

  1. one high-density and one low-density band
  2. one intermediate density band
  3. one high density and one intermediate-density band
  4. one low-density and one intermediate-density band

Short Answer

Expert verified
  1. The option “one high-density and one low-density band” is false.
  2. The option “one intermediate density band” is false.
  3. The option “one high density and one intermediate-density band” is false.
  4. The option “one low-density and one intermediate-density band” is true.

Step by step solution

01

DNA

DNA is the genetic material that is found in most living organisms, including bacteria. It carries the genetic information which passes from one generation to the other generation.

02

Explanation of option (A)

The observation of one high density and low-density band is not seen since the experiment was conducted for two generations in the 14N medium.

After two rounds of DNA replication, no high-density band formation is observed because the E.coli was moved to the14N medium.

Therefore, the given option is false.

03

Explanation of option (B)

The observation of one intermediate band is not the only result of the experiment since the bacteria is grown in two different types of medium containing 15N and 14N.

Thus, there must be the formation of two different bands having varying densities.

Therefore, the given option is false.

04

Explanation of option (C)

The observation of one high density and one intermediate-density band is not the result of this experiment. Since the E.coli grown on the medium containing 15N is transferred to the 14N.

After this transfer, two round of replication is carried out only in the 14N medium.

Thus, the observation of a high-density band that corresponds to the 15N medium is not seen.

Therefore, the given option is false.

05

Explanation of option (D)

The transfer of E.coli from the 15N is transferred to the 14N, making the bacterium adapted to the 14N. Since the bacterium is grown initially in the15N heavier than the 14N, it produces the one intermediate band, not the high-density band.

The two rounds of replication are taking place in the14N that forms the low density and intermediate bands.

Therefore, the given option is true.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If the DNA pol I in a given cell were non-functional, how would that affect the synthesis of a leading strand? In the overview box in Figure 16.17, point out where DNA pol I would normally function on the top leading strand.

Identify two major functions of DNA pol III in DNA replication.

Some bacteria may be able to respond to environmental stress by increasing the rate at which mutations occur during cell division. How might this be accomplished? Might there be an evolutionary advantage to this ability? Explain.

Model building can be an important part of the scientific process. The illustration shown above is a computer-generated model of a DNA replication complex. The parental and newly synthesized DNA strands are colour coded differently, as are each of the following three proteins DNA pol III, the sliding clamp, and single-stranded binding protein.

  1. Using what you've learned in this chapter to clarify this model, label each DNA strand and protein.
  2. Draw an arrow to indicate the overall direction of DNA replication.

: If Chargaff's rule—that the amount of A equals the amount of T and the amount of C equals the amount of G—is valid, then hypothetically, we could extrapolate this to the combined DNA of all species on Earth (like one huge Earth genome). To see whether the data in the table support this hypothesis, calculate the average percentage for each base in your completed table by averaging the values in each column. Does Chargaff's equivalence rule still hold true?

Source of DNA

Base Percentage

Adenine

Guanine

Cytosine

Thymine

Sea urchin

32.8

17.7

17.3

32.1

Salmon

29.7

20.8

20.4

29.1

Wheat

28.1

21.8

22.7

27.4

E. coli

24.7

26.0

25.3

24.0

Human

30.4

19.8

19.8

30.1

Ox

29.0

21.0

21.0

29.0

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