TAKE-HOME EXERCISE

1. Sequence complexity

Complexity (X) of a DNA fraction is the length of the longest nonrepeating sequence that could be produced by splicing together fragments in that fraction. What is the complexity of the highly-repetitive fraction in calf DNA? (You can estimate from Fig. 7.25b, C₀t_½ for the highly-repetitive fraction is ~ 4 x10^-3, and this fraction represents about 15% of the genome.)

2. Measuring repeat number for a genome fraction

a) Given the following definitions

f_i ::= the fraction of the genome represented by component i

N ::= the size (bp) of the genome

X_i ::= the complexity (bp) of fraction i

derive an expression for R_i where

R_i ::= the number of times fraction i is repeated in the genome (dimensionless)

b) If the calf genome (N) is 10⁹ bp, how many times is the repetitive fraction from a) repeated in the genome?

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