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Chapter 17: Problem 23

List three structural characteristics of DNA.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Double helix, complementary base pairing, antiparallel orientation.

Step by step solution

01

Double Helix Structure

DNA has a double helix structure, which looks like a twisted ladder. The two strands of DNA are twisted around each other, forming a right-handed spiral.
02

Complementary Base Pairing

The two strands of DNA are held together by hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide base pairs. Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G). This is known as complementary base pairing.
03

Antiparallel Orientation

The two strands of the DNA double helix run in opposite directions, which is referred to as antiparallel orientation. One strand runs in the 5' to 3' direction, and the other strand runs in the 3' to 5' direction.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Double Helix Structure
DNA features a double helix structure, resembling a twisted ladder. Imagine two long strands coiling around each other to form a right-handed spiral. These strands are made of a sugar-phosphate backbone with nucleotide bases sticking out. The design keeps everything compact and organized.

Some cool facts about the double helix:
  • The helix repeats every 10 base pairs.
  • It is stable but also flexible enough to be tightly packed in cells.
The double helix model was first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. They discovered this crucial feature based on photographs taken using X-ray diffraction.
Complementary Base Pairing
In DNA, complementary base pairing ensures accuracy during replication and transcription. There are four types of nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

Here are the pairs:
  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
  • Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)
These pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds, making the DNA stable. A and T form two hydrogen bonds, while C and G form three hydrogen bonds. This specific pairing is like a biological puzzle that fits perfectly. It's crucial for DNA to maintain its structural integrity and function properly.
Antiparallel Orientation
The two strands of the DNA double helix are oriented in opposite directions. This is known as antiparallel orientation. One strand runs from the 5' (five-prime) end to the 3' (three-prime) end, and the opposing strand runs from 3' to 5'.

Here鈥檚 a bit more detail for clarity:
  • The 5' end has a phosphate group attached.
  • The 3' end has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached.
This arrangement is essential for DNA replication and cellular processes. During replication, enzymes can only add new nucleotides to the 3' end, allowing the new strand to grow. This unique orientation ensures that cells can accurately replicate their genetic material, providing precise instructions for maintaining life.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A specific virus contains RNA as its genetic material. a. Why would reverse transcription be used in the life cycle of this type of virus? b. What is the name of this type of virus?

If the DNA double helix in salmon contains \(28 \%\) adenine, what is the percentage of thymine, guanine, and cytosine? (17.3)

What is reverse transcription?

Match the following statements with rRNA, mRNA, or IRNA: (17.4) a. combines with proteins to form ribosomes b. brings amino acids to the ribosomes for protein synthesis c. acts as a template for protein synthesis

Consider the following segment of mRNA produced by the nomal order of DNA nucleotides: CUU AAA CGA CAU a. What is the amino acid order produced from this mRNA? b. What is the amino acid order if a point mutation changes CUU to CCU? c. What is the amino acid order if a point mutation changes CGA to AGA? d. What happens to protein synthesis if a point mutation changes AAA to UAA? e. What is the amino acid order if an insertion mutation adds a G to the beginning of the mRNA segment? f. What is the amino acid order if a deletion mutation removes the \(\mathrm {C}\) at the beginning of the mRNA segment?
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