Determination of the average orientation of DNA in the octopus sperm [ital Eledone] [ital cirrhossa] through polarized light scattering

Journal Article · Sat Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Applied Optics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.33.005733· OSTI ID:6958288

Shapiro, D B; Maestre, M F; McClain, W M; Hull, P G; Shi, Y; Quinby-Hunt, M S; Hearst, J E; Hunt, A J ^[1]

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1. University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

The coupled-dipole approximation has been used to model polarized light-scattering data obtained from the sperm of the octopus [ital Eledone] [ital cirrhosa]. Mueller scattering-matrix elements (which describe how a sample alters the intensity and degree of polarization of scattered light) were measured as a function of angle. The sample was modeled as a helical fiber believed to correspond to a DNA protein complex. It was necessary to propose an inherent anisotropy in the polarizability of the fiber in order to fit the data. The direction of the principle axes of the polarizability were determined by comparing the model with experimental data. The results suggest that the 2-nm DNA fibers are perpendicular to the thick fiber that defines the helical geometry of the octopus sperm head.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6958288
• Journal Information: Applied Optics; (United States), Vol. 33:24; ISSN 0003-6935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
DNA
POLARIZABILITY
SPERMATOZOA
LIGHT SCATTERING
ANISOTROPY
CHROMATIN
POLARIZATION
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SCATTERING
426002* - Engineering- Lasers & Masers- (1990-)