You would like to determine the effect of formamide (structure shown below right) on the melting temperature of DNA. You do that by measuring the absorbance of a DNA solution at 260 nm at various temperatures in the presence or absence of formamide. The results are recorded in the figure below. Which of the two curves represent the "+ formamide" solution and which one "\text{-} formamide" control? Match the correct answers with the respective curve (not all answers are used): 1.00 Absorbance, 260 nm 0.75 0.50 60 70 80 Temp, $^\circ$C Blue (left) [Choose] Red (right) [Choose] H-C-NH$_2$
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- Formamide is known to lower the melting temperature (Tm) of DNA by destabilizing hydrogen bonds between DNA strands. Show more…
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Figure $18-36$ shows the melting curves for two DNA samples that were thermally denatured under the same conditions. (a) What conclusion can you draw concerning the base compositions of the two samples? Explain. (b) How might you explain the steeper slope of the melting curve for sample $A$ ? (c) Formamide and urea are agents known to form hydrogen bonds with pyrimidines and purines. What effect, if any, would the inclusion of a small amount of formamide or urea in the incubation mixture have on the melting curves?
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