Nanotechnology and DNA Applications

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Questions and Answers

Which type of DNA is characterized by a wider right-handed spiral and is often found in dehydrated samples?

A-DNA (correct)

C-DNA

B-DNA

Z-DNA

What does the term 'nanoscale' refer to?

Measurements in kilometers

Measurements in nanometres (correct)

Measurements in millimetres

Measurements in micrometres

Nanotechnology only involves the study of physical properties.

False

Z-DNA is characterized by a right-handed spiral.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following provides an indication of the melting temperature (Tm)?

Guanine-cytosine content Signup and view all the answers

What are the four nucleotides found in Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine Signup and view all the answers

In DNA, three hydrogen bonds form between cytosine and ______.

guanine Signup and view all the answers

The diameter of a DNA double helix is approximately _____ nm.

2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the melting temperature (Tm) of DNA?

The temperature at which 50% of the DNA forms a stable double helix. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following branches of nanotechnology with their focus areas:

Physics = Surface science and semiconductor manufacturing Chemistry = Organic chemistry and biochemistry Molecular Biology = Creation of controllable nanostructures out of DNA DNA Nanotechnology = Self-assembly through DNA manipulation Signup and view all the answers

Match the DNA types with their characteristics:

A-DNA = Wider right-handed spiral B-DNA = Most common form in cells Z-DNA = Left-handed helix Melting Temperature = Temperature at which 50% is double-stranded Signup and view all the answers

Hybridization refers to the process of single DNA strands forming a double helix.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major property of DNA for the self-assembly of functional nanostructures?

Ability to store genetic information Signup and view all the answers

The double helix structure of DNA is formed by two parallel strands.

False Signup and view all the answers

The formula for calculating Tm is Tm = [4(G + C) + 2(A + T)] ______

°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of DNA nanotechnology?

To create novel, controllable nanostructures out of DNA Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nanotechnology

Manipulation and manufacture of materials and devices at the atomic or small group of atoms scale.
Measured in nanometres (nm), or billionths of a metre (10-9 meter).
Materials at this scale often demonstrate unique physical and chemical properties.

Nanotechnology Fields

Emerged as a new field over the past three decades.
Highly diversified, encompassing various disciplines:
- Physics (surface science and semiconductor manufacturing).
- Chemistry (organic, biochemistry, analytical chemistry).
- Molecular biology.
- DNA Nanotechnology.

DNA Nanotechnology

Aims to construct novel, controllable nanostructures using DNA's unique molecular recognition properties.
Achieves molecular self-assembly through DNA manipulation.
Components spontaneously organize into stable structures due to their physical and chemical properties.
In this field, nucleic acids act as engineered building blocks rather than genetic information carriers.

DNA Properties for Self-Assembly

Base-pairing rules of nucleotides: Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T), Guanine pairs with Cytosine (G-C).
Complementary strand binding: A single strand of DNA can bind to a complementary sequence with high affinity.
Stability: DNA is stable across a wide range of environmental conditions.
Reversible hybridization: DNA hybridization can be controlled by temperature.

DNA Fundamentals

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contains four nucleotides, each consisting of a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose), a heterocyclic base, and a phosphate group.
Nucleotides include two purine molecules (Adenine and Guanine) and two pyrimidine molecules (Cytosine and Thymine).
Two antiparallel polynucleotide strands form a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds.
Double helix dimensions: ~2 nm diameter, ~10 - 10.5 nucleotide pairs per helical repeat, ~3.4-3.6 nm pitch.

DNA Conformations

A-DNA: Wider right-handed spiral, found in dehydrated samples.
B-DNA: Right-handed, most common in cells, found in high hydration levels.
Z-DNA: Left-handed, occurs with chemically modified bases.

DNA Base Pairing

Three hydrogen bonds form between cytosine and guanine molecules.
Two hydrogen bonds form between adenine and thymine molecules.
These units are referred to as base pairs.
Base pairing is fundamental for the fabrication of many DNA-based nanostructures.

Hybridization and Denaturation

Hybridization: Hydrogen bonding between two complementary single DNA strands forming a double helix.
Denaturation: When double-stranded DNA is heated, it separates into single strands.
Rehybridization: When denatured DNA cools, complementary sequences rehybridize and reform a double helix.

Melting Temperature (Tm)

Temperature at which 50% of DNA species form a stable double helix, while the other 50% are separated into single strands.
Depends on length and nucleotide sequence composition of the DNA molecule.
Guanine-cytosine (GC) content is a good indicator of Tm.
Calculation: Tm = [4(G + C) + 2(A + T)] °C

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of nanotechnology, focusing on the manipulation of materials at the atomic scale and their unique properties. This quiz delves into various fields, including physics, chemistry, and molecular biology, with special attention to DNA nanotechnology and its innovative applications. Test your knowledge on how these disciplines intersect and the future potential of nanostructures.