Consider a duplex molecule of length 10 Mb that has only one origin of replication located exactly in the middle. If replication proceeds bidirectionally, assuming that the rate of DNA synthesis is 1500 nucleotide pairs per second, the time needed for replication of this molecule is minutes.

Approximately 28 minutes.

Explanation:

Given:

Length of a duplex molecule of DNA = 10 mb

= 10 * 10^6 bases

So, it means each DNA has = 5 * 10^6 base pair

rate of DNA synthesis = 1500 nucleotide pairs per sec.

location of replication = at the middle which is 5 * 10^6/2

= At 2.5 * 10^6

solution:

As we know replication of DNA is a bidirectional process so it will synthesize in both directions and the rate is given is 1500 nucleotide per sec so the time required to replicate 2.5 * 10^6 in both directions will be from the formula

time = distane/rate

= 2.5 * 10^6/1500

= 1666.66 seconds

or, 28 minutes aprrox (27.77)