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Why Does Denatured DNA Absorb More Ultraviolet Light Than Double-Stranded DNA?

Hyperchromic Shift

The phenomenon of UV absorbance increasing as DNA is denatured is known as the hyperchromic shift. The purine and pyrimidine bases in DNA strongly absorb ultraviolet light. Double-stranded DNA absorbs less strongly than denatured DNA due to the stacking interactions between the bases. Single deoxynucleotides absorb more strongly than denatured DNA(1).

References

  1. Alexander, R.R. and Griffiths, J.M. (1993) Basic Biochemical Methods, 2nd Edition. J.M. Wiley and Sons, New York.
Hyperchromic Shift References

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