Q176 / 200 · NEET 2022 (Phase 1) · Zoology

If the length of a DNA molecule is 1.1 metres, what will be the approximate number of base pairs?

  • A
    6.6×109 bp
  • B
    3.3×106 bp
  • C
    6.6×106 bp
  • Correct answer
    D
    3.3×109 bp

Solution

The two chains of DNA are coiled in a right-handed helicle fashion. The pitch of the helix is 3.4 nm and has a diameter of 2 nm. In the B-form of DNA, the distance between a bp in a helix is approximately 0.34 nm which means there are about 10 nucleotides present in a complete turn. 

The total length of DNA molecule in nm = 1.1×109 nm.

The approximate number of base pairs = =1.1×1090.34=3.3×109

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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