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Chapter 24: Q6CP (page 847)

Why is it necessary for naturally occurring DNA molecules to be negatively supercoiled?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The negative supercoiling prepares the molecule for the molecules that need separation of the DNA strands.

Step by step solution

01

DNA

DNA constitutes a group of molecules that is responsible for transferring genetic materials from the parents to the offspring. This is correct for viruses as several of the entities contain DNA or RNA as the genetic material.

02

The reason why the naturally occurring DNA molecules are negatively supercoiled

Negative supercoiling is the left handed coiling of DNA that makes the winding occur in the anticlockwise direction. It is necessary that the naturally occurring DNA molecules are negatively supercoiled as the negative supercoiling prepares the molecule for the molecules that need separation of the DNA strands.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Polyoma virus DNA can be separated by sedimentation in an ultracentrifuge (Section 5-2E) at neutral pH into three components that have sedimentation coefficients of 20, 16, and 14.5S and that are known as Types I, II, and III DNAs, respectively. These DNAs all have identical base sequences and molecular masses. In 0.15 M NaCl, both Types II and III DNA have melting curves of normal cooperativity and a Tm of 88°C. Type I DNA, however, exhibits a very broad melting curve and a Tm of 107°C. At pH 13, Types I and III DNAs have sedimentation coefficients of 53 and 16S, respectively, and Type II separates into two components with sedimentation coefficients of 16 and 18S. How do Types I, II, and III DNAs differ from one another? Explain their different physical properties.

How do type IA, type IB, and type II topoisomerases alter DNA topology? Which processes require the input of free energy?

Describe the forces that stabilize nucleic acid structure. Which is more important?

Use the information in Table 11-1 to estimate the half-life, in years, of a phosphodiester bond in DNA.

Compounds known as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have been developed as nucleic acid-binding probes. A PNA molecule has a polypeptide-like backbone with purine and pyrimidine bases attached as side chains. Draw the PNA backbone resulting from amide bond formation between two molecules ofN-(2-aminoethyl)glycine.
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