Does DNA get affected by the concentration of the liquids around it?

In summary, this article discusses the different forms of DNA that can form under different conditions.
  • #1
jedistartrek
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TL;DR Summary
Hi

I would just like to know if DNA is affected by the concentration of liquids around it.

Thanks and best regards,
Hi

I would just like to know if DNA is affected by the concentration of liquids around it.

Thanks and best regards,
 
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  • #2
Concentration refers to the amount of stuff dissolved in a solvent, water is a solvent. So what you are asking is a bit turned around.
How about this:

Cell "insides" and their DNA are in a water medium, sometimes called the cytosol. So water is a given factor in living cells. pH - the amount of acid in the water:
Low pH decreases the solubility and can cause depurination and strand breakage. Low pH also stabilizes triple helices that contain pyrimidine-purine-pyrimidine and cytosine residues. High pH, up to 13, is less damaging and is used to denature nucleic acids. However, depurination [ removal of necessary purines, cytosine (C) and thymine (T) ] and strand breakage can still happen.
from: https://www.biosyn.com/faq/Does-the-pH-influence-the-stability-of-double-stranded-DNA.aspx
So it that sense - working backwards from the usual definitions - less water and more acid is not good.

The way you phrased your question makes it hard to interpret. You change your body's ' water concentration'
when you drink a large glass of water. Usually the concentration of a large number other molecule types affects all kinds of processes and other molecules, this concentration changes as your body hydrates and dehydrates.

Maybe what you really want is homeostasis, the body's system to keep [whatever] concentration interests you in a safe range -- in this case fluid balance.
 
  • #3
Oh ok. Thank you very much. I'll let you know again if I have any questions.

Glad to know someone's working on these solutions.

Thanks.
 
  • #4
It seems ironic they haven't fixed it by now.
 
  • #6
Oh great. I truly enjoyed the reading.
 

1. Does the concentration of liquids around DNA affect its structure?

Yes, the concentration of liquids around DNA can affect its structure. This is due to the fact that DNA is a negatively charged molecule and can interact with positively charged ions in the surrounding liquid, causing changes in its conformation.

2. How does the concentration of liquids affect the stability of DNA?

The stability of DNA can be affected by the concentration of liquids in its environment. High concentrations of salts or other solutes can disrupt the hydrogen bonds that hold the DNA strands together, leading to denaturation and loss of stability.

3. Can changes in liquid concentration cause mutations in DNA?

Changes in liquid concentration can potentially cause mutations in DNA. This is because alterations in the chemical environment can lead to errors in DNA replication or damage to the DNA molecule itself, resulting in mutations.

4. What is the optimal concentration of liquids for maintaining DNA integrity?

The optimal concentration of liquids for maintaining DNA integrity can vary depending on the type of DNA and the specific experimental conditions. Generally, a moderate concentration of salts and other solutes is preferred to maintain the stability and structure of DNA.

5. How does the concentration of liquids around DNA affect its function?

The concentration of liquids around DNA can affect its function in various ways. For example, if the concentration of salts is too high, it can interfere with the binding of DNA to proteins, which is necessary for many cellular processes. Additionally, changes in liquid concentration can also affect the accessibility of DNA for transcription and other biochemical reactions.

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