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Chapter 10: Problem 17

If the GC content of a DNA molecule is \(60 \%\), what are the molar percentages of the four bases (G, C, T, A)?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: In a DNA molecule with 60% GC content, the molar percentages of the four bases are: - Guanine (G): 30% - Cytosine (C): 30% - Thymine (T): 20% - Adenine (A): 20%

Step by step solution

01

Understand the relationships between the bases in DNA

In a DNA molecule, each base pairs with a complementary base: Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T) pairs with Adenine (A). Therefore, the sum of the molar percentages of G and C must be equal to the GC content given, and the sum of the molar percentages of T and A must be equal to the rest of the percentage, which is 100% - GC content.
02

Calculate the sum of molar percentages of T and A

We are given the GC content as 60%. We can now find the sum of the molar percentages of T and A as follows: Sum of T and A molar percentages = 100% - GC content = 100% - 60% = 40%.
03

Divide the sum of molar percentages of G and C equally

Since G pairs with C, their molar percentages should be equal. The GC content is 60%, so we can find the molar percentages of each base by dividing the sum by 2: Molar percentage of G = Molar percentage of C = 60% / 2 = 30%.
04

Divide the sum of molar percentages of T and A equally

Since T pairs with A, their molar percentages should also be equal. The sum of the molar percentages of T and A is 40%, so we can find the molar percentages of each base by dividing the sum by 2: Molar percentage of T = Molar percentage of A = 40% / 2 = 20%.
05

State the molar percentages of all four bases

The molar percentages for the four bases in the given DNA molecule are: - Guanine (G): 30% - Cytosine (C): 30% - Thymine (T): 20% - Adenine (A): 20%

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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

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

In this chapter, we first focused on the information that showed DNA to be the genetic material and then discussed the structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick. We concluded the chapter by describing various techniques developed to study DNA. Along the way, we found many opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions: (a) How were scientists able to determine that DNA, and not some other molecule, serves as the genetic material in bacteria and bacteriophages? (b) How do we know that DNA also serves as the genetic material in eukaryotes such as humans? (c) How was it determined that the structure of DNA is a double helix with the two strands held together by hydrogen bonds formed between complementary nitrogenous bases? (d) How do we know that G pairs with C and that A pairs with \(\mathrm{T}\) as complementary base pairs are formed? (e) How do we know that repetitive DNA sequences exist in eukaryotes?

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?

What did the Watson-Crick model suggest about the replication of DNA?
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