Chapter 9: Problem 25
What is the chemical basis of molecular hybridization?
Chapter 9: Problem 25
What is the chemical basis of molecular hybridization?
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Get started for freeDraw the chemical structure of the three components of a nucleo- tide, and then link them together. What atoms are removed from the structures when the linkages are formed?
Newsdate: March \(1,2030 .\) A unique creature has been discovered during exploration of outer space. Recently, its genetic material has been isolated and analyzed, and has been found to be similar in some ways to DNA in 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 proportion: \(A=T=H \quad\) and \(\quad C=G=X\) X-ray diffraction studies have established a regularity in the molecule and a constant diameter of about \(30 \AA\). Together, these data have suggested a model for the structure of this molecule. (a) Propose a general model of this molecule, and briefly describe it. (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 either (i) both \(\mathrm{H}\) and \(\mathrm{X}\) are purines or both pyrimidines, or (ii) one is a purine and one is a pyrimidine?
List three main differences between DNA and RNA.
Discuss the reasons why proteins were generally favored over DNA as the genetic material before \(1940 .\) What was the role of the tetranucleotide hypothesis in this controversy?
What are the exceptions to the general rule that DNA is the genetic material in all organisms? What evidence supports these exceptions?
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