Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 10: Problem 21

What is the physical state of DNA following denaturation?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Following denaturation, the physical state of DNA transitions from a double-stranded, helical structure to single-stranded, linear molecules. Denatured DNA is more vulnerable to degradation by nucleases and more flexible due to the absence of the constraints imposed by the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. The bases in denatured DNA are also more exposed, making them more accessible for various molecular biology techniques such as sequencing, PCR, and hybridization.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding DNA denaturation

DNA denaturation is a process in which the double-stranded DNA molecule is heated or subjected to a chemical treatment, causing the two complementary strands of the DNA to separate and become single-stranded. This occurs due to the disruption and breaking of the hydrogen bonds that hold the two strands together.
02

Factors affecting DNA denaturation

Denaturation can be induced by several factors such as high temperature, extreme pH, or the presence of denaturing agents like formamide or urea. When the DNA is exposed to these factors, the hydrogen bonds between the complimentary base pairs (A-T and G-C) are disrupted and eventually broken, leading to the separation of the two strands.
03

Physical state of DNA following denaturation

Following denaturation, the DNA transitions from a double-stranded, helical structure to single-stranded, linear molecules. The process is reversible, and the DNA can renature (reassociate) to its double-stranded form once the denaturing conditions are removed. However, the physical state of DNA after denaturation can be described as single-stranded and uncoiled.
04

Characteristics of denatured DNA

Denatured DNA, being single-stranded, exhibits different characteristics compared to its native double-stranded form. For instance, single-stranded DNA is more vulnerable to degradation by nucleases and is more flexible due to the absence of the constraints imposed by the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. Additionally, the bases in denatured DNA are more exposed, making them more accessible for various molecular biology techniques such as sequencing, PCR, and hybridization.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Assume that you are interested in separating short \((200-400\) nucleotides) DNA molecules from a pool of longer molecules in the \(10,000-20,000\) nucleotide range. You have two recipes for making your agarose gels: one recipe uses 1.5 percent agarose and would be considered a "hard gel," while the other uses 0.5 percent agarose and would be considered a loose gel. Which recipe would you consider using and why?

What evidence did Watson and Crick have at their disposal in 1953? What was their approach in arriving at the structure of DNA?

What observations are consistent with the conclusion that DNA serves as the genetic material in eukaryotes? List and discuss them.

What is the hyperchromic effect? How is it measured? What \(\operatorname{does} T_{m}\) imply?

Newsdate: March \(1,2030 .\) A unique creature has been discovered during exploration of outer space. Recently, its genetic material has been isolated and analyzed. This material is similar in some ways to DNA in its chemical makeup. It contains in abundance the 4 -carbon sugar erythrose and a molar equivalent of phosphate groups. In addition, it contains six nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), cytosine (C), hypoxanthine (H), and xanthine (X). These bases exist in the following relative proportions: $$\mathrm{A}=\mathrm{T}=\mathrm{H} \text { and } \mathrm{C}=\mathrm{G}=\mathrm{x}$$ X-ray diffraction studies have established a regularity in the molecule and a constant diameter of about 30 A. Together, these data have suggested a model for the structure of this molecule. (a) Propose a general model of this molecule. Describe it briefly. (b) What base-pairing properties must exist for \(\mathrm{H}\) and for \(\mathrm{X}\) in the model? (c) Given the constant diameter of \(30 \AA\), do you think that either (i) both \(\mathrm{H}\) and \(\mathrm{X}\) are purines or both pyrimidines, or (ii) one is a purine and one is a pyrimidine?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Control of Gene Expression

Read Explanation

Organ Systems

Read Explanation

Heredity

Read Explanation

Cellular Energetics

Read Explanation

Responding to Change

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free