CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

I. The Relative Homogeneity of Microbial Desoxyribonucleic Acid. II. The Molecular Arrangement of the Conserved Subunits of the Desoxyribonucleic Acid of Escherichia coli

Citation

Rolfe, Ronald Efrom (1961) I. The Relative Homogeneity of Microbial Desoxyribonucleic Acid. II. The Molecular Arrangement of the Conserved Subunits of the Desoxyribonucleic Acid of Escherichia coli. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/CBDY-KV20. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:04132011-072837251

Abstract

I. The buoyant density of DNA in a CsCl-density gradient has been shown to depend on its nucleotide composition. The linear relationship has been used to study the distribution of nucleotide compositions among the DNA molecules isolated from a single microbial species. Each microbial DNA has been shown to be unusually homogeneous relative to the range of compositions found for DNA isolated from different species. The relevance of these findings to current views of the function of DNA in biological systems is discussed. II. The molecular arrangement of the conserved subunits of E. coli DNA has been investigated by examining molecular fragments of hybrid ^(13)C, ^(15)N E. coli DNA. Two extreme models for the arrangement of subunits, the side-to –side model, and the end-to-end model, were considered. Predictions regarding CsCl-density-gradient distribution for fragments of hybrid DNA were developed for each model. These predictions were based on a theoretical analysis, but utilized pertinent experimental data obtained from a study of unlabelled E. coli DNA. Comparison of theory with experiment indicated that the end-to-end model is incorrect, and set an upper limit to the amount of fully labeled fragments released when hybrid DNA is sonicated.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Chemistry)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Meselson, Matthew S. (advisor)
  • Pauling, Linus (advisor)
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1961
Additional Information:Title in 1961 Caltech commencement program varies: I. The Relative Homogeneity of Microbial DNA. II. The Molecular Arrangement of the Conserved Subunits of the DNA of E. coli
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:04132011-072837251
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:04132011-072837251
DOI:10.7907/CBDY-KV20
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:6315
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:13 Apr 2011 17:45
Last Modified:22 Nov 2023 00:00

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

23MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page