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Chapter 9: Problem 21

What is the physical state of DNA after being denatured by heat?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: After DNA has been denatured by heat, its physical state is single-stranded, with the two strands of the DNA molecule no longer held together by hydrogen bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding DNA denaturation

DNA denaturation is a process in which the double helix structure of DNA molecule is separated into two single strands. This occurs when the hydrogen bonds holding the two strands together are broken, which causes the DNA molecule to lose its characteristic structure. Heat is one of the factors that can cause DNA denaturation, as increasing temperature provides more energy for the hydrogen bonds to break.
02

Effect of heat on DNA structure

When DNA is exposed to heat, the hydrogen bonds that hold the two strands of the double helix together become unstable. As the temperature increases, more hydrogen bonds break, weakening the structure of the DNA molecule. At a certain temperature, called the melting temperature (Tm), the hydrogen bonds are broken and the two strands separate completely. This is known as heat denaturation of DNA.
03

Physical state of denatured DNA

After the DNA has been denatured by heat, it exists in a single-stranded state. The two strands of the DNA molecule separate and are no longer held together by hydrogen bonds. Since the DNA molecule is still composed of the same nucleotides, its chemical composition remains the same. However, its physical structure has changed due to the absence of the hydrogen bonds.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How do covalent bonds differ from hydrogen bonds? Define base complementarity.

You are provided with DNA samples from two newly discovered bacterial viruses. Based on the various analytical techniques discussed in this chapter, construct a research protocol that would be useful in characterizing and contrasting the DNA of both viruses. Indicate the type of information you hope to obtain for each technique included in the protocol.

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

Why were \(^{32} \mathrm{P}\) and \(^{35} \mathrm{S}\) chosen in the Hershey-Chase experiment? Discuss the rationale and conclusions of this experiment.

One of the most common spontaneous lesions that occurs in DNA under physiological conditions is the hydrolysis of the amino group of cytosine, converting it to uracil. What would be the effect on DNA structure if a uracil group replaced cytosine?
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