DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF PRECIPITATE THAT IS FORMED WHEN ALCOHOL

DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF PRECIPITATE THAT IS FORMED WHEN ALCOHOL IS ADDED TO DENATURED (SINGLE STRANDED DNA). OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS PRECIPITATE IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT WHICH IS OBSERVED WITH NATIVE DNA

Solution

Answer:

Based on solubility in alcohol DNA forms precipitate. Single strand DNA formed due to denaturation do not precipitate, whereas the DsDNA or RNA which is not denatured previously forms precipitates in the alcohol. DNA is insoluble in the alcohol, so it forms a long fiber like structures when alcohol is added.