2. A DNA polymerase is isolated and found to have an error rate of 1 in 106. (6 points, 3 each) A. Suppose that the error rate is determined solely by

the relative stabilities of incorrect and correct base pairs. What would the difference in free energy between correct and incorrect nucleotides incorporated by the polymerase have to be in order to explain the error rate? B. Solution studies of isolated oligonucleotides indicate that the energetic difference is actually -1.2 kJ.mol-1. What is the equilibrium constant of correct-incorrect base pair discrimination based on these solution studies?