Question

A DNA from a particular species contain ${10}^8$ base pairs. What is the length of the DNA?

• A. $3.4\times {10}^{-2}cm$
• B. $3.4m$
• C. $3.4cm$
• D. $3.4\times {10}^{-2}m$

Answer 1

The correct option is D

$3.4\times {10}^{-2}m$

Each helix contain $10bp=34A^{\circ }$
Thus, distance between each bp = ${3.4}^{\circ }$
Length of ${10}^{8}bp={3.4}^{\circ }\times {10}^8=3.4\times {10}^{-10}\times {10}^{8}m=3.4\times {10}^{-2}m$