A diploid nucleus of Drosophila melanogaster contains about 3.4 x 108 nucleotide pairs. Assume (1) that all nuclear DNA is packaged into nucleosomes and (2) that an average internucleosomal linker size is 60 nucleotide pairs. How many nucleosomes would be present in a diploid nucleus of this species and how many molecules of Histone H2a, H2b, H3 and H4 are required?

Question

Biology

Mila Buck

31 July, 23:43

A diploid nucleus of Drosophila melanogaster contains about 3.4 x 108 nucleotide pairs. Assume (1) that all nuclear DNA is packaged into nucleosomes and (2) that an average internucleosomal linker size is 60 nucleotide pairs. How many nucleosomes would be present in a diploid nucleus of this species and how many molecules of Histone H2a, H2b, H3 and H4 are required?

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Brenton Jackson · Answer 1

nucleosomes = 1.65 x 10^6

H2a = 3.3 x 10^6 molecules

H2b = 3.3 x 10^6 molecules

H3 = 3.3 x 10^6 molecules

H4 = 3.3 x 10^6 molecules

Explanation:

It was mentioned in the book Principles of Genetics By D. Peter Snustad, Michael J. Simmons that in the nucleus of D. melanogaster there will be 1.65 x 10^6 nucleosomes and 3.3 x 10^6 molecules of every type of histone i. e. H2a, H2b, H3, and H4 present in it.