Question

How is this technique important in the analysis of nucleic acids?

Check all that apply.

UV absorption can distinguish between different types of RNA.
UV absorption allows the estimation of the base content of nucleic acids.
UV absorption allows the determination of the exact concentration of adenine in nucleic acids.
UV absorption allows the determination of whether a nucleic acid is in the single- or double-stranded form.
UV absorption allows the determination of the nucleotide sequence of single-stranded nucleic acid.
UV absorption allows the determination of the presence and concentration of nucleic acids in a mixture.

Answer 1

UV absorption plays a vital role in the identification and quantification of DNA and RNA by measuring their concentration at 260 nm. It also helps infer the structural state (single or double-stranded) of nucleic acids; however, UV absorption does not provide information on nucleotide sequences or specific base concentrations.

Step-by-step explanation:

UV absorption is a critical technique in the analysis of nucleic acids. It is primarily used for determining the presence and concentration of nucleic acids such as RNA and DNA. At a wavelength of 260 nm, RNA and DNA absorb UV light due to the presence of heterocyclic aromatic nucleobases. The concentration is calculated via the Beer-Lambert Law which states that absorbance at 260 nm is proportional to the product of the extinction coefficient, the concentration, and the path length (l=1 cm).

UV absorption can also indicate whether nucleic acids are in a single- or double-stranded form, as single-stranded nucleic acids absorb more UV light than double-stranded ones, causing a hyperchromic shift. The exact concentration of specific bases, such as adenine or the nucleotide sequence, however, cannot be determined by UV absorption alone. Additional methods like sequencing are required for that level of analysis.Other applications of UV spectroscopy include DNA quality control, where it is used to determine the quality and purity of DNA, and in protein studies due to the absorption of UV light by aromatic amino acids.