Question

Meselson and Stahl were trying to determine if DNA replication was semiconservative, conservative, or dispersive by labeling E. coliDNA with a regimen of heavy nitrogen (H) for one round of replication and then transferring these cells to light nitrogen (L) for two more rounds of replication. Which of the following statements wouldnotbe true within the context of this experiment?a. If DNA replication were conservative, no DNA molecules of intermediate density (H-L) would have been seen.b. If DNA replication were dispersive, only DNA molecules that were of intermediate density (H-L) would have been seen.c. If DNA replication were semiconservative, the DNA molecules that were made would all continue to be heavy density (H-H).d. If DNA replication were semiconservative, the DNA molecules would consist of one parental strand basepaired to one newly replicated strand.e. If DNA replication were semiconserative, a higher proportion of DNA molecules from future divisions would have been low density (L-L)

Answer 1

Answer:

Option C

Explanation:

All of the following options are correct except option C. in the Meselson Stahl experiment, after the first round of replication, the DNA molecules made consisted mainly of one parental strand and one new strand each which is the DNA molecules of intermediate density (H-L). Then future replications will produce more of the low density L-L density. This form of replication is thus termed to be the semi conservative form of replication