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  4. If Meselson and Stahl's experiment is continued for four generations in bacteria, the ratio of 15N/15N: 15N/14N: 14N/14N containing DNA in the fourth generation would be

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Q. If Meselson and Stahl's experiment is continued for four generations in bacteria, the ratio of $^{15}N/^{15}N : ^{15}N/^{14}N :^{ 14}N/^{14}N$ containing $DNA$ in the fourth generation would be

Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Solution:

As per Meselson and Stahl's experiment, parent $DNA$ was first isolated from E.coli grown in heavy $^{15}N$ medium. It was then put in light $^{14}N$ medium. $DNA$ shows semi conservative nature, hence, in fourth generation, the ratio of $^{15}N/^{15}N : ^{15}N/^{14}N : ^{14}N/^{14}N$ will be $0 :1 : 7$.