does DNAse cleave DNA at a steady rate (linear relationship) or is it some sort of exponential thing?
The rate at which DNAse cleaves DNA is dependent on various factors and may not follow a steady linear relationship. When DNAse degrades DNA, it breaks the phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides, resulting in smaller fragments. The rate of cleavage can be influenced by factors such as enzyme concentration, incubation time, temperature, pH, and the DNA substrate itself.
Typically, the cleavage of DNA by DNAse does not occur at a constant rate over time. Initially, when large intact DNA is exposed to DNAse, the rate of cleavage may appear to be faster, resulting in larger fragments being produced. As the reaction progresses and more DNA is cleaved, the concentration of larger intact DNA decreases, and the rate of cleavage slows down. This non-linear relationship arises due to enzyme-substrate interactions and the depletion of larger DNA molecules.
To determine the cleavage rate of DNA by DNAse, experiments are conducted by incubating the enzyme with DNA for different time intervals. Samples are then taken at specific time points, and the DNA fragments are analyzed using various techniques, such as gel electrophoresis or DNA sequencing. By comparing the intensities of the DNA fragments at different time points, one can evaluate the rate of cleavage.
In summary, the rate of DNA cleavage by DNAse may not follow a steady linear relationship. It depends on several factors, making it important to conduct experiments and analyze the results to understand the kinetics of DNAse activity.