Describe the structure and complementary base pairing of DNA.

Concepts of Biology
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Chapter9: Molecular Biology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 13CTQ: Describe the structure and complementary base pairing of DNA.
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 Describe the structure and complementary base pairing of DNA.

Expert Solution
Step 1

DNA is made up of molecules known as nucleotides.Each nucleotides contains a 

  • Phosphate group
  • Sugar group
  • Nitrogen base

Complementary Nitrogenous bases are divided into two groups

  • Pyrimidines 
  • Purines
Step 2

Four types of nitrogen bases are:

  • Adenine(purines)
  • Thymine(pyrimidines)
  • Guanine(purines)
  • Cytosine(pyrimidines)

Nucleotides are attached together to form long strand which spiral to create a structure known as double helix.

Double helix structure can be simplified by thinking them as a ladder.

Phosphate and sugar molecules will be sides of ladder and bases will be rings.

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