Two linear and parallel RNA strands, defined by the equations 3x 4y +...
Given:
Two linear and parallel RNA strands, defined by the equations 3x + 4y + 6 = 0 and 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 are hydrogen bonded together.
To find:
The distance between the two strands.
Solution:
The given equations represent two linear RNA strands. To find the distance between these strands, we need to find the perpendicular distance between them.
Step 1:
First, let's find the slope of the given lines by rearranging the equations in the slope-intercept form (y = mx + c).
Equation 1: 3x + 4y + 6 = 0
Rearranging, we get: 4y = -3x - 6
Dividing by 4, we get: y = -3/4x - 3/2
Equation 2: 3x + 4y + 5 = 0
Rearranging, we get: 4y = -3x - 5
Dividing by 4, we get: y = -3/4x - 5/4
Comparing the equations, we can see that the slopes of both lines are the same, i.e., -3/4. This indicates that the two RNA strands are parallel.
Step 2:
To find the distance between the parallel strands, we consider a point on one of the strands and find its perpendicular distance from the other strand.
Considering the point (0, -3/2) on the first strand (Equation 1), let's find its perpendicular distance from the second strand (Equation 2).
The perpendicular distance (d) can be found using the formula:
d = |ax + by + c| / √(a^2 + b^2)
Substituting the values from Equation 2, we get:
d = |3(0) + 4(-3/2) + 5| / √(3^2 + 4^2)
= |-6 + 5| / √(9 + 16)
= |-1| / √25
= 1 / 5
Therefore, the distance between the two RNA strands is 1 / 5, which is equal to 0.2.
Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' (0.2).
Two linear and parallel RNA strands, defined by the equations 3x 4y +...
The answer is A