Textbook Question
What is the hyperchromic effect? How is it measured? What does Tₘ imply?
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Ch. 9 - DNA Structure and Analysis
Klug10th EditionEssentials of GeneticsISBN: 9780135588789
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Introduction to Genetics16
- Ch. 2 - Mitosis and Meiosis28
- Ch. 3 - Mendelian Genetics37
- Ch. 4 - Modification of Mendelian Ratios53
- Ch. 5 - Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes32
- Ch. 6 - Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement37
- Ch. 7 - Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes36
- Ch. 8 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages24
- Ch. 9 - DNA Structure and Analysis38
- Ch. 10 - DNA Replication29
- Ch. 11 - Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization22
- Ch. 12 - The Genetic Code and Transcription36
- Ch. 13 - Translation and Proteins27
- Ch. 14 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition34
- Ch. 15 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria22
- Ch. 16 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes37
- Ch. 17 - Recombinant DNA Technology27
- Ch. 18 - Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Proteomics30
- Ch. 19 - The Genetics of Cancer21
- Ch. 20 - Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits37
- Ch. 21 - Population and Evolutionary Genetics45
Chapter 9, Problem 25
What did the Watson–Crick model suggest about the replication of DNA?
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Recall that the Watson–Crick model of DNA describes the structure of DNA as a double helix composed of two complementary strands running in opposite directions.
Understand that each strand of the DNA double helix serves as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand during replication.
Recognize that the base pairing rules (adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine) ensure that each new strand is an exact complement of the template strand.
Conclude that DNA replication is semiconservative, meaning that each new DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand.
Summarize that the Watson–Crick model suggested that the mechanism of DNA replication relies on the complementary base pairing and the separation of the two strands to produce two identical DNA molecules.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Watson–Crick Model of DNA Structure
The Watson–Crick model describes DNA as a double helix composed of two complementary strands running in opposite directions. Each strand consists of a sugar-phosphate backbone with nitrogenous bases paired specifically (A with T, G with C) through hydrogen bonds, providing a stable yet flexible structure.
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DNA Structure
Complementary Base Pairing
Complementary base pairing means that adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C). This specificity allows each strand to serve as a template for creating a new complementary strand during DNA replication, ensuring accurate copying of genetic information.
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Semi-Conservative DNA Replication
The Watson–Crick model suggested that DNA replication is semi-conservative, meaning each new DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. This mechanism preserves genetic information and allows cells to replicate DNA accurately before cell division.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Why is Tₘ related to base composition?
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Textbook Question
What is the chemical basis of molecular hybridization?
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Textbook Question
A genetics student was asked to draw the chemical structure of an adenine- and thymine-containing dinucleotide derived from DNA. The answer is shown here:
The student made more than six major errors. One of them is circled, numbered 1, and explained. Find five others. Circle them, number them 2 through 6, and briefly explain each in the manner of the example given.
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Textbook Question
A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its genetic material. Analysis provided the following information:
The general X-ray diffraction pattern is similar to that of DNA, but with somewhat different dimensions and more irregularity.
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Textbook Question
A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its genetic material. Analysis provided the following information:
A major hyperchromic shift is evident upon heating and monitoring UV absorption at 260 nm.
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