Question

The dry weight of macromolecules like DNA, RNA and proteins can be determined using

• A. Fluorescent microscopy
• B. Molecular mass spectroscopy
• C. Phase contrast microscopy
• D. Differential interference contrast microscopy
• E. Scanning electron microscopy

Answer 1

The correct option is B Molecular mass spectroscopy

Microscopy techniques can be employed only for imaging living cells and tissues and to measure cellular dynamics. Whereas spectroscopic techniques employ light to interact with matter and thus probe certain features of a sample to learn about its consistency or structure. Light is electromagnetic radiation, a phenomenon exhibiting different energies, and dependent on that energy, different molecular features can be probed. The scattering of light can yield a number of valuable insights into the properties of macromolecules, including the molecular mass, dimensions and diffusion coefficients, as well as association or dissociation properties and internal dynamics.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.