Lecture 8 Flashcards
What is the secondary structure of DNA?
Double helix
What is each chain in the double helix connected to each other by?
Hydrogen bonds between the bases (non-covalent)
Which residues would be found in equal numbers in DNA?
[A and T] and [G and C] and Purines and Pyrimidines
What are Hydrogen bonds?
Polar non-covalent interactions where a hydrogen is being shared within a hydrogen bond between two electronegative atoms
What atoms form the hydrogen bonds in DNA?
Nitrogen and Oxygen
Why is it necessary for hydrogen bond interactions to be weak interactions?
In order to unwind it to carry out processes like replication or transcription
How many hydrogen bonds between A and T?
Two
How many hydrogen bonds between G and C?
Three
What is DNA (B-form) stabilized by?
Base stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds
What is the primary stabilizing force for DNA in B-form?
Base stacking
What are the components of base stacking?
- Van der waals
* Hydrophobic forces
Which direction are the strands of DNA going?
They are in an antiparallel orientation. On is going 5’ to 3’ and one is going 3’ to 5’
Which direction is the twist of DNA?
Right handed twist
When is the B-form usually found?
In aqueous environments
Which portions of the bases are hydrophobic?
The faces of the bases, so the flat portion of them