Question

Given the fact that 1 fg of DNA = 9.78 × 10⁵ base pairs (on average), you can convert the amount of DNA per cell to the length of DNA in numbers of base pairs. (a) Calculate the number of base pairs of DNA in the haploid yeast genome. Express your answer in millions of base pairs (Mb), a standard unit for expressing genome size. Show your work. (b) How many base pairs per minute were synthesized during the S phase of these yeast cells?

Short answer

(a)12 Mb (12 x 10⁶ base pairs).

(b) 2.0 x 10⁵ base pairs per minute.

Step-by-step solution

Haploid and diploid organisms

DNA is the genetic material that contains instructions for the genotype and phenotype of an organism. Organisms with a complete set of paired chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, are called diploid organisms.

On the other hand,organisms with half the set of paired chromosomes are called haploid organisms.

Calculation of (a)

Given,