Concept explainers
To analyze:
The effect of dimer formation after ultraviolet radiation on the structure of DNA molecule
Introduction:
High energy radiations are highly mutagenic. When radiation reaches the DNA, electrons absorb energy. The electrons escape the atom leaving behind free radicals. Free radicals react violently with other molecules including the DNA.
Answer to Problem 9STP
The adjacent thymine bases form dimers when exposed to UV radiation. This disrupts the structure of DNA and it is unable to replicate properly.
Explanation of Solution
The UV radiation from Sun does not cause free radicals as it has less energy than X-ray radiation. But UV radiation can cause adjacent thymine bases to bind to each other forming a dimer. The thymine bases form covalent bonds with each other disrupting the structure of DNA as thymine can no longer bind to adenine in complementary strand. This makes the DNA molecule “kink” and it is unable to replicate properly unless repaired.
Chapter 14 Solutions
Biology Illinois Edition (Glencoe Science)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues
Microbiology with Diseases by Body System (5th Edition)
Biological Science
Microbiology: An Introduction
Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education