Abstract
DNA of high molecular weight is observed to collapse into a very compact particle in a salt solution in the presence of second neutral polymers, poly(ethylene oxide) [(EO)n] of lower molecular weight, above a certain critical concentration. We show in a statistical mechanical way that the phenomenon is caused by the repulsive interaction between the DNA and (EO)n’s. A self-consistent (SC) potential is introduced to treat both intramolecular and intermolecular repulsive interactions of short-range nature. Appearance of a bound state in this SC potential is necessary and sufficient condition for a collapsed state to be stable. The critical concentration of (EO)n is found to be proportional to the inverse degree of its polymerization. The average size of a DNA is expected to change from N3/5 to N1/3 at the transition point, where N is the number of base pairs in the DNA. The transition is of second kind.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
