DNAase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the covalent bonds that join nucleotides together. What would first happen to DNA molecules treated with DNAase?
A) The two strands of the double helix would separate.
B) The phosphodiester bonds between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.
C) The purines would be separated from the deoxyribose sugars.
D) The pyrimidines would be separated from the deoxyribose sugars.
E) All bases would be separated from the deoxyribose sugars.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNAase catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds between the deoxyribose sugars in DNA molecules, causing the nucleotides to separate from each other. The two strands of the double helix would eventually separate after enough phosphodiester bonds are broken, but this is not the immediate effect of DNAase treatment. Choice C, D, and E are incorrect because DNAase does not specifically target or separate individual components of nucleotides.

DNAase Is an Enzyme That Catalyzes the Hydrolysis of the Covalent