Ten E. coli cells with 15N-dsDNA are incubated in medium containing 14N nucleotide. After 60 minutes, how many E. coli cells will have DNA totally free from 15N?
- 20 cells
- 40 cells
- 60 cells
- 80 cells
Answer
(3) 60 cells
Solution
As per NCERT (Meselson and Stahl's experiment), E. coli divides in 20 minutes and DNA replicates semiconservatively.
Number of generations in 60 minutes = 6020 = 3
Total cells after 3 generations = 10 23 = 80
Each original 15N-DNA has two heavy strands; each heavy strand stays in one daughter DNA in every generation.
Cells with hybrid 15N/14N DNA = 10 2 = 20
Cells with DNA totally free from 15N = 80 - 20 = 60
Answer: (3)