Denatured DNA more dense?

[LakersInSix]

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I was wondering how denatured DNA ends up being more dense. Doesn't the denaturing process increase the volume since the strands separate? I would think m/v would decrease with that reasoning

but Examkrackers' Bio book states "Denatured DNA is less viscous, denser..." (pg 32 of 7th edition)

Does anyone know what I am missing? Also is the less viscosity due to lack of H-bonding?

 

[mehc012]

I believe this is due to the fact that single-stranded (denatured) DNA can coil more, and pair with itself. This more intense folding can be pretty compact compared to the limited number of more orderly structures typical of dsDNA.

 

[JaBoomDay]

I believe this is due to the fact that single-stranded (denatured) DNA can coil more, and pair with itself. This more intense folding can be pretty compact compared to the limited number of more orderly structures typical of dsDNA.

👍

 

[thekman786]

I love SDN. Thanks so much for this answer. I just had the same question as the original post. =D