How many base pairs would be found in a B- DNA double helix that is 17...
Calculating the Number of Base Pairs in a B-DNA Double Helix
When determining the number of base pairs in a B-DNA double helix, there are a few key factors to consider:
The Structure of B-DNA
B-DNA is the most common form of DNA, and it consists of two polynucleotide chains that are wrapped around each other to form a double helix. The structure of B-DNA is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs, which occur between adenine and thymine, and between guanine and cytosine.
The Length of the DNA Double Helix
The length of a DNA double helix is typically measured in angstroms (Å), which is a unit of length equal to 0.1 nanometers. In this case, the B-DNA double helix is 170Å long.
The Size of a Base Pair
A base pair is the unit of measurement used to describe the length of DNA. Each base pair consists of two nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA. The size of a base pair is typically measured in nanometers (nm), and it is equal to approximately 0.34 nm.
The Formula for Calculating the Number of Base Pairs
The formula for calculating the number of base pairs in a DNA double helix is:
Number of Base Pairs = Length of DNA Double Helix / Size of a Base Pair
Calculating the Number of Base Pairs
Using the formula above, we can calculate the number of base pairs in the 170Å B-DNA double helix:
Number of Base Pairs = 170Å / 0.34 nm
Number of Base Pairs = 500
Conclusion
Therefore, there are 500 base pairs in the B-DNA double helix that is 170Å long.