Suppose a meteorite has been discovered buried in an Alaskan glacier. A scientis

Question

Suppose a meteorite has been discovered buried in an Alaskan glacier. A scientist recovers a living microbe preserved in the ice bound sample. The scientist isolates genetic material after growing the microbe. This genetic material, termed xeno nucleic acid (XNA), has a higher melting temperature than DNA but an almost identical ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectra. X-ray diffraction images of XNA fibers display a banded X-shaped pattern. The genetic material is composed of four bases: D, X, G, and C. Histones, purified from yeast, have been found to associate with XNA by gel shift. Based on the experimental data provided above, which of the following statements are true of the molecular structure of XNA? XNA dimensions can be derived from banded pattern in X-ray diffraction. The ratio of G to C is approximately equal in XNA. D base pairs with G, suggesting XNA has a constant width. The almost identical DNA and XNA UV spectra implies XNA has a phosphodiester backbone. like DNA, wraps around histones to compact the genetic material.

Explanation / Answer

The correct statements should be:

Ratio of G to C is approximately 1.

As mentioned, xna and histone proteins can associate, so most probably xna wraps around histone to compact it's genetic material.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse S
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.