Question

The secondary structure of DNA is often B-DNA, which is a double helix that contains a minor groove and a major groove. When dying DNA molecules for DNA laboratory techniques, there are two general types of dyes that specifically bind to DNA to make it fluorescent. One type of dye, such as ethidium bromide, intercalates in between bases inside the DNA, and is only fluorescent when it is intercalated into DNA. Another type of dye rests in the major or minor groove of DNA, such as SYBR Green, and is only fluorescent when it is bound in the groove of DNA. Intercalating dyes are considered to be more carcinogenic than groove-binding DNA dyes if they are absorbed through the skin of the researcher. Which of the following options is the most reasonable explanation for this?
Choose one:
A. The intercalated dyes will lead to increased mutations upon DNA replication since they are inserted into the bases that are used as a template for DNA replication.
B. The intercalated dyes attract more carcinogens in the cell to the DNA than the groove-binding dyes.
C. The groove-binding dyes increase the chance of mutation when DNA is being replicated because the sugar phosphate backbone is used as a template during DNA replication.
D. The intercalated dyes emit more UV light, causing more damage to the DNA than the groove-binding dyes.

Answer 1

The intercalated dyes will lead to increased mutations upon DNA replication since they are inserted into the bases that are used as a template for DNA replication (Option A). It is a mutagenic agent.

Mutations and intercalant agents

A mutation is any alteration in the nucleotide DNA sequence of the genome of an organism.

An intercalant agent is any chemical substance (mutagenic agent) that can insert between successive nucleotides' DNA bases.

Ethidium bromide is a well know intercalant agent used to observe DNA under UV light.

Lear more about intercalant agents here:

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