Question:
In E coli was allowed to grow for 80 minutes then what would be the Proportion of light and hybrid density is the DNA molecule?
Answer:
Hi Arhama!
If we recall the experiment conducted by Meselson and Stahl, we must remember the following two points:
1. Bacteria and its DNA replicates in every 20 min.
2. In each generation, 2 of the daughter progeny are always hybrid (N14-N15) while the remaining are normals (N14-N14).
Therefore, the number of replications bacteria must have undergone in 80 minutes = 80/20 = 4
In each replication cycle, one bacteria gives rise to 2 bacteria. Therefore, in 4 replication cycles the number of bacteria produced = 24 = 16
As mentioned, 2 of the progeny bacteria will always be hybrid. Out of 16 bacteria, 2 will be hybrid while 14 will be non-hybrid.
Therefore, the proportion of the hybrid to non-hybrid = 2:14 or 1:7.
Hope this helps!
Thanks
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