Question

The distance between base pairs in DNA is 0.34 nm. How many base pairs are there in a chromosome that is 12.0 cm long? (Note: 109 nm = 1 m)

A) 35,294,117 base pairs
B) 3,529,411 base pairs
C) 352,941,176 base pairs
D) 35,294 base pairs

Answer 1

To determine the number of base pairs in a 12.0 cm long chromosome, convert the length to nanometers and divide by the distance between base pairs, which is 0.34 nm, resulting in 35,294,117 base pairs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The distance between base pairs in DNA is 0.34 nm. To find out how many base pairs there are in a chromosome that is 12.0 cm long, we need to convert the length of the chromosome from centimeters to nanometers. One meter is equal to 109 nanometers, so 12.0 cm would be 12.0 x 107 nm.

To calculate the number of base pairs, divide the total length of the chromosome in nanometers by the distance between base pairs:

Total number of base pairs = Length of chromosome (nm) / Distance between base pairs (nm)

Total number of base pairs = (12.0 x 107 nm) / 0.34 nm

Total number of base pairs = 35,294,117 base pairs. Therefore, the correct answer is A) 35,294,117 base pairs.