DNA Structure Flashcards
What are the building blocks of DNA?
Four types of nucleotides
The four types of nucleotides are adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
What links nucleotides together in DNA?
Covalent bonds through a sugar-phosphate backbone
This backbone provides structural integrity to the DNA molecule.
What is a polynucleotide chain?
A chain of nucleotides linked together
This term describes the structure of a single strand of DNA.
How are the two strands of DNA held together?
By hydrogen bonds between nucleotide bases
The specific pairing of adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine stabilizes the DNA structure.
What are the complimentary base pairs in the DNA double helix?
A and T, G and C
These pairs form the hydrogen bonds that stabilize the DNA structure.
What type of bonds form between the bases in the DNA double helix?
Hydrogen bonds
The formation of hydrogen bonds is crucial for the stability of the double helix structure.
What is the orientation of the bases in a polynucleotide chain?
Antiparallel
This means that one strand runs in the 5’ to 3’ direction while the other runs in the 3’ to 5’ direction.
Which base pairs create the most efficient bonds in the DNA double helix?
A with T and G with C
The specific pairing enhances the stability of the DNA structure.
Fill in the blank: The structure of the bases allows for _______ to form between them.
hydrogen bonds
These bonds are essential for maintaining the double helix configuration.
True or False: The ends of the polynucleotide chain do not matter in DNA structure.
False
The orientation and ends of the strands are significant for DNA replication and function.
What characterizes the 5’ end of a DNA strand?
Phosphate group
