Question

A culture of E. coli growing in a medium containing a heavy isotope of nitrogen (15N)...

A culture of E. coli growing in a medium containing a heavy isotope of nitrogen (15N) as the sole source of nitrogen is switched to a medium containing the normal, lighter isotope of nitrogen (14N) for 2 generations. What is the molar ratio of the hybrid DNA (15N-14N) to light DNA (14N-14N) at this point? Report your answer as a decimal to the nearest hundredths.

0.14 and 0.25 is not the answer

PLEASE EXPAIN IN DETAIL!!!!

Homework Answers

Answer #1

All the DNA of E.Coli will contain N-15 initialy in N-15 medium. N-14 will be incorporated in the DNA When the Organism is shifted to N-14 medium. Hence the next generation will have one strand Containing N-15 And one strand containing N14. The ratio of N-14 to N-15 will be 1:1. In the next generation (Second from initial E. Coli) The new DNA strands will contain only N-14, But the parent will have one N-14 and one N-15 strand. Both N-14 and

N-15 will coil with new strands that contain N-14 strands only. So this generation will contain one N-15 strand for every three N-14 strands. Hence the ratio of N-15 to N-14 will be 1:3. (= 0.33)

Know the answer?
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for?
Ask your own homework help question
Similar Questions
ADVERTISEMENT
Need Online Homework Help?

Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.

Ask a Question
ADVERTISEMENT