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Eleclrooptical study of the electric polarizability of rodlike fragments of DNA
Author(s) -
Hornick C.,
Weill G.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.360101124
Subject(s) - polarizability , counterion , chemistry , polyelectrolyte , chemical physics , electric field , anisotropy , birefringence , divalent , flow birefringence , kerr effect , ion , molecular physics , condensed matter physics , optics , polymer , molecule , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , nonlinear system
The anisotropy of electrical polarizability of rodlike fragments of DNA has been studied by a number of electro‐optical methods: Kerr effect (combined with flow birefringence), light scattering, diehroism, and fluorescence in an electric field. The most sensitive technique (Kerr effect) has been used to study the variation of the polarizability with the nature and concentration of counteroins. DNA fragments constitute a truly rigid polyelectrolyte of known structure. The value obtained can then be quantitatively compared to the predictions of those of the theories of the longitudinal polarizability of rigid polyelectrolytes which are based on true molecular parameters. The comparison emphasizes the role of the counterion–counterion repulsion. Oosawa's theory seems to represent the best approach but fails to explain the differences observed between monovalent and divalent ions.