User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2021 Marks available 1 Reference code 21N.1.SL.TZ0.13
Level Standard level Paper Paper 1 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

John Cairns used the technique of autoradiography to produce photographs of DNA from the bacterium E. coli.

[Source: © Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Autoradiography of bacterium E. coli DNA - micrograph, The Chromosome of
Escherichia coli Cairns, J.P., 1963. Cold Spring Harbor Symposia, Quantitative Biology, 28(44).]

 

Which conclusion was drawn from his experiments?

A. The DNA in all organisms is circular.

B. DNA in E. coli naturally contains thymidine.

C. DNA replication is conservative.

D. The DNA in E. coli is 900 μm in length.

Markscheme

D

Examiners report

The technique developed by Cairns is part of the program in sub-topic 3.2, but answers to this question showed that relatively few candidates were familiar with it.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 3: Genetics » 3.2 Chromosomes
Show 35 related questions
Core » Topic 3: Genetics
Core

View options