Nucleic Acids and the Genetic Material Problem Set 1

Problem 6: Meselson-Stahl DNA replication experiment

Correct!

In the Meselson-Stahl DNA replication experiment, if the cells were first grown for many generations in N-15 containing media, and then switched to N-14 containing media, what percent of the DNA had 1 light strand and 1 heavy strand after 2 generations of growth in N-14 growth media?
A 0

B 25

C 50

After one generation in light 14N, all DNA's would be intermediate density. A second generation of semiconservative replication would leave half the DNA's as intermediate density and half as light density.

D 75

E 100

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Thursday, October 3, 1996
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