A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its genetic material. Analysis provided the following information: (a) The general X-ray diffraction pattern is similar to that of DNA, but with somewhat different dimensions and more irregularity. (b) A major hyperchromic shift is evident upon heating and monitoring UV absorption at 260 nm. (c) Base-composition analysis reveals four bases in the following proportions: Adenine = 8% Guanine = 37% Xanthine = 37% Hypoxanthine = 18% (d) About 75 percent of the sugars are deoxyribose, while 25 percent are ribose. Postulate a model for the structure of this molecule that is consistent with the foregoing observations.

A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its genetic material. Analysis provided the following information: (a) The general X-ray diffraction pattern is similar to that of DNA, but with somewhat different dimensions and more irregularity. (b) A major hyperchromic shift is evident upon heating and monitoring UV absorption at 260 nm. (c) Base-composition analysis reveals four bases in the following proportions: Adenine = 8% Guanine = 37% Xanthine = 37% Hypoxanthine = 18% (d) About 75 percent of the sugars are deoxyribose, while 25 percent are ribose. Postulate a model for the structure of this molecule that is consistent with the foregoing observations.

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Michael Cummings

Chapter8: The Structure, Replication, And Chromosomal Organization Of Dna

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 14QP: State the properties of the WatsonCrick model of DNA in the following categories: a. number of...

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