BIO 101L Lab 6 DNA & RNA SUMMER 2024

Lab Report Format Expectations Utilize college level grammar and professional formatting when completing this worksheet. Pre-Lab Questions 1. Identify two differences between the composition of DNA and RNA. DNA takes the form of a double helix and is often described as looking like a long, twisted ladder with rungs. RNA is single stranded and shorter than DNA . It can fold back on itself due to hydrogen bonding to form a stem loop structure. 2. Suppose you are performing an experiment in which you must heat nucleic acids to denature a double helix and create two single-stranded pieces. Based on what you know about nucleotide bonding. What about the composition of nucleotides will change the temperature at which the double helix will denature? Use scientific reasoning to explain your response. When the temperature is raised, the DNA's hydrogen bonds break because the DNA atoms move rapidly. The melting temperature varies depending on the base pairs in the helix, with DNA containing more G/C base pairs being more resistant to melting