Question

DNA inside living cells becomes charged as each base pair steals a pair of electrons from surrounding water molecules and releases a pair of hydrogen ions. (a) Do some research and determine the typical number of base pairs in a human chromosome (Not the number in the Y chromosome!). Your answer should include a reference to the source or sources used to produce your answer. (3 Points) (b) Estimate the electric force between two typical chromosomes assuming that they are held one micrometer apart in vacuum. Assume that the two chromosomes are coiled up and can be treated as point charges, each with a charge of 2 extra electrons per base pair. (5 Points) (c) In a living cell DNA is surrounded by water that contains both negatively and positively charged ions that are free to move (since water is a conductor). How do you think these ions will respond to the presence of a charged chromosome? (2 Points)

Answer 1

a)

The human genome contains roughly 3 billion of these base matches

which dwell in the 23 set of chromosomes inside the core of every one of our cells.

Normal estimation of base combines in a chromosome is 155270560

This esteem can change since a few transformations straightforwardly present (or erase) an

expansive number of nucleotides.

b)

Normal estimation of base matches in a chromosome is 155270560

There are two additional electron for each base match. Henceforth charge on every chromosome

q₁ = q₂ = 2 x 155,270,560 x 1.6 x 10^-19 C

F = k q₁ q₂ / r²

F = 22.219 N

c)

Chromosome is charged because of base combine and a base match ( bp ) is a unit comprising of

two nucleo bases bound to one another by hydrogen bonds.

Henceforth the particles of water will interface with accused chromosome of

hydrogen holding just as electrostatic power.