DNA Question...

[Bernard P. Murray, PhD]

In article <36c8065d.6225547 at 204.101.251.68>, lboyd at hc.itas.net (Larry) wrote:

>    Hello;
> 
>      Is a cell's dna the same regardless of whether or not the cell is
> alive? 
>   Larry

Try a Medline search for reviews on "apoptosis".
This is the "normal" method by which cells die.
You'll find that one of the (usual) phenomena
observed involves intra-nucleosomal cleavage
of genomic DNA into comparatively small fragments
so, the DNA chemistry and sequence are unchanged
but physically it is not the same as when the
cell is alive.
     People may argue that since apoptosis is an
active process the cell isn't quite dead when
nucleosomal laddering is occurring but it is
certainly likely to be on its last legs.  I'll
let you make the call.
     Bernard
-- 
Bernard P. Murray, PhD
Dept. Cell. Mol. Pharmacol., UCSF, San Francisco, USA