Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 6th Edition

Published by W.H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1-42923-414-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-42923-414-6

Chapter 8 - Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids - Problems - Page 309: 7

Answer

Base stacking in nucleic acids tends to reduce the absorption of UV light. Denaturation involves loss of base stacking, and UV absorption increases.

Work Step by Step

The absorption of UV light by double-stranded DNA increases when the DNA is denatured because bases in DNA are planar so they have the ability to stack.
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