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DNA is a long molecule made up of units called nucleotides each nucleotide is made up of three basic components: a 5-carbon sugar called deoxyribose, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous (nitrogen-containing) base.

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DNA - is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms (with the exception of RNA viruses). The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information. Along with RNA and proteins, DNA is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life.

DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-parallel. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called nucleobases (informally, bases). It is the sequence of these four nucleobases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA in a process called transcription.

Within cells DNA is organized into long structures called chromosomes. During cell division these chromosomes are duplicated in the process of DNA replication, providing each cell its own complete set of chromosomes. Eukaryotic organisms (animals, plants, fungi, and protists) store most of their DNA inside the cell nucleus and some of their DNA in organelles, such as mitochondria or chloroplasts.[1] In contrast, prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) store their DNA only in the cytoplasm. Within the chromosomes, chromatin proteins such as histones compact and organize DNA. These compact structures guide the interactions between DNA and other proteins, helping control which parts of the DNA are transcribed.

Answer summaryA double helix.
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It's a double stranded helical structure made up of nucleotides (diff combo of ATCG sequences) attached to a sugar phosphate backbone.

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Double Helix

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Neutrons

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Q: Describe the general structure of DNA?
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Related questions

How did Watson and crick describe the structure DNA?

it was in strands


What is the general Structure of the DNA molecules?

Helix Structure. Get More Information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA


What chromosomes can be describe as?

Chromosomes are an organized structure of DNA and protein that is found in cells.


Describe how watson and crick discoverd the structure of dna?

they put pieces together


what Describe the structure of the DNA molecule?

a DNA molecule is made up of a phosphate, sugar and base A double Helix Strand


Who was the first to describe the structure of DNA?

Watson and Crick


Can you give a hard science question?

What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.What is the DNA structure of a brontosaurus.


Describe the structure and general location of Salmonella Typhi?

a friking rod


James Watson and Francis Crick?

were the first to describe the hidden double-helix structure of DNA molecules


What might be different about getting DNA from bacteria or animals than getting it from plants?

In general DNA is similar in all organisms but its primary structure is different .


How would you describe the structure dna?

DNA looks like a ladder that has been twisted into a spiral. This shape is referred to as a helix shape.


Describe the general function of the nucleus?

the general functions of nucleus are to power the cell, to maintains structural elements and to organize the linear DNA molecules.