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A molecule of DNA is double-stranded. The molecule has the shape of a double helix, typically right handed(B form DNA).
The DNA molecule consists of two complementary strands oriented in an antiparallel fashion. Each strand is composed of nucleotides. A nucleotide consists of a base (a purine or pyrimidine), a sugar (between the other two components) named deoxyribose, and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are linked to each other via phosphodiester bonds, forming a sugar-phosphate backbone to each strand.
The base of each nucleotide projects into the interior cavity of the helix. Each base is opposite another base: adenine (a purine) is always paired with thymine (a pyrimidine), and guanine (purine) with cytosine (pyrimidine); this phenomenon is called complementary base pairing.
Each nucleotide forms hydrogen bonds with its complementary base on the other strand. Two hydrogen bonds form between adenine and thymine; three hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine.
There are three forms of DNA that differ significantly. The most common, B form, is the structure most people have heard of. It consists of the right handed double helix, with a large "major groove" and a smaller but accessible "minor groove". These 'grooves' are spaces between the backbone which allow access to the bases for interactions with proteins. A form DNA is also a right handed helix, but as yet has not been found in organisms, and only exists in synthetic environments. It has a wider, flatter structure. Z form DNA is found in living organisms, but is a left handed helix, meaning it twists in the opposite direction. Unlike A and B form DNA, the major and minor grooves have very similar sizes in Z form DNA.
The twisted laddermetaphorA DNA molecule is often likened to a spiral (or twisted) ladder. In this analogy, the rungs of the ladder are the base pairs ( A-T and G-C). The sides of the ladder are the sugar-phosphate backbones of the two strands. This refers to B form DNA. History of the double helix modelIn an article published in the journal Nature on 25 April 1953, James D Watson and Francis H Crick proposed the double helix structure for DNA. Watson and Crick used unpublished information obtained empirically by Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. In 1962 Crick, Watson, and Wilkins shared the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine; Rosalind Franklin had died in 1958.
What else can I help you with?
Importance is the deoxyribose molecule in the structure of DNA?
Deoxyribose is a key component of the DNA molecule as it forms the "backbone" of the DNA strand. It provides stability and structure to the DNA molecule by linking the individual nucleotides together. Without deoxyribose, DNA could not exist in its double helix structure and carry out its functions in storing genetic information.
Is a DNA strand the same as a DNA molecule?
The DNA molecule is composed of two DNA strands.
What did the scientists use to discover the DNA molecule's structure?
X-ray crystallography.
True or false Despite years of research the actual structure of the DNA molecule is still unknown?
False. The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. They proposed the double helix structure that is now widely accepted.
Which molecule is wound up to make a chromosome?
DNA molecule is wound up around proteins called histones to form a structure known as a chromosome. This coiling helps condense the DNA for efficient storage and organization within the cell.
what Describe the structure of the DNA molecule?
a DNA molecule is made up of a phosphate, sugar and base A double Helix Strand
Three thing make the structure of a DNA molecule?
The structure of a DNA molecule is made up of three things: a sugar-phosphate backbone, nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine), and hydrogen bonds that form between the bases. These components form the double helix shape of the DNA molecule.
What is the role of deoxyribose in DNA structure and function?
Deoxyribose is a sugar molecule that forms the backbone of DNA. It helps to stabilize the structure of the DNA molecule and plays a crucial role in storing and transmitting genetic information.
What best describe a DNA molecule?
The DNA molecule is shaped like a ladder that is twisted into a coiled configuration called a double helix.
What type of sugar does DNA contain, and how does it contribute to the structure and function of the molecule?
DNA contains deoxyribose sugar. This sugar contributes to the structure of the DNA molecule by forming the backbone of the double helix structure. It also plays a role in stabilizing the molecule and facilitating the pairing of complementary nucleotide bases, which is essential for DNA replication and protein synthesis.
Is deoxyribose present in DNA and what role does it play in the structure and function of the molecule?
Yes, deoxyribose is present in DNA. It is a sugar molecule that forms the backbone of the DNA structure. Deoxyribose helps to stabilize the DNA molecule and provides a framework for the attachment of the nitrogenous bases, which are essential for encoding genetic information.
What term describe a shape of a DNA molecule?
A Double Helix.
Which 2 people are responsible for determining the structure of the DNA molecule?
James Watson and Francis Crick elucidated the structure of DNA.
Is DNA a single-stranded molecule?
No, DNA is a double-stranded molecule consisting of two strands that are twisted together in a helical structure.
What is the role of deoxyribose in the structure of DNA and RNA?
Deoxyribose is a sugar molecule that forms the backbone of DNA, while ribose is the sugar molecule in RNA. Deoxyribose helps to provide stability and structure to the DNA molecule by connecting with phosphate groups to form the sugar-phosphate backbone. In RNA, ribose plays a similar role in providing structure to the molecule.
What is the term used to descride the twisted ladder shape of a DNA molecule?
The term used to describe the twisted ladder shape of a DNA molecule is "double helix". This structure consists of two strands of nucleotides coiled around each other in a spiral shape.
What is the relationship between a phosphate base and sugar in the structure of DNA?
In the structure of DNA, a phosphate base is connected to a sugar molecule through a covalent bond. This bond forms the backbone of the DNA molecule, with the phosphate-sugar backbone providing stability and structure to the double helix shape of DNA.
