Structure of DNA

• What does DNA stand for?

  Deoxyribonucleic Acid
• How is DNA similar to a blueprint?

  It provides instructions for building the body
• What are the building blocks of DNA called?

  Nucleotides
• What do genetic instructions control?

  Traits like eye color and cell growth
• What is the structure of the DNA double helix?

  • Stable, ladder-like shape
  • Sugar-phosphate backbones form the rails
  • Base pairs create the rungs
  • Twisting maximizes storage capacity and protects DNA
• Why is understanding DNA structure important?

  It shows how genes influence traits and health
• What are the four nitrogenous bases that make up DNA?

  Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine
• What are the key functions of DNA in living organisms?

  • Stores and transmits genetic information
  • Provides instructions for protein synthesis
  • Allows for genetic inheritance and variation
• How many hydrogen bonds are formed between Adenine and Thymine?

  2
• What components make up a nucleotide?

  A sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base
• What type of bonds hold the base pairs together in DNA?

  Hydrogen bonds
• What is the significance of the twisting of the DNA double helix?

  It protects DNA and maximizes storage capacity
• What does the double helix structure of DNA represent?

  The two complementary strands of the DNA molecule
• Which nucleotides pair together in DNA?

  A pairs with T, and G pairs with C
• What are the key components of the DNA double helix structure?

  • Two antiparallel sugar-phosphate backbones
  • Nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G) paired between strands
  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
  • Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)
• If the sequence of one DNA strand is ATCGAT, what is the sequence of the complementary strand?

  TAGCTA
• How do the nitrogenous bases in DNA form base pairs?

  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
  • Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)
  • These base pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds
• How do nucleotides contribute to the structure of DNA?

  They form chains that create DNA strands
• If the sequence of one DNA strand is ATCG, what is the sequence of the complementary strand?

  TAGC
• What are the structural components of a DNA nucleotide?

  • Sugar (deoxyribose)
  • Phosphate group
  • Nitrogenous base (A, T, C, G)
• What is the significance of nitrogenous bases in DNA?

  They carry genetic information in DNA
• What is the purpose of the sugar-phosphate backbone in the DNA molecule?

  It provides structural support and allows the DNA molecule to form a double helix
• What are the specific pairings of nitrogenous bases in DNA?

  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
  • Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C)
• How do the components of a nucleotide join together?

  Through covalent bonds
• What do the base pairs form in the structure of DNA?

  The rungs of the DNA ladder
• How many hydrogen bonds are formed between Guanine and Cytosine?

  3
• What are the names of the four DNA bases?

  • Adenine (A)
  • Thymine (T)
  • Guanine (G)
  • Cytosine (C)
• What forms the outer framework of DNA?

  Sugar-phosphate backbone
• What is the role of base pairs in genetic information transfer?

  They enable accurate replication of DNA strands
• What are the components of the DNA double helix?

  • Sugar-phosphate backbone
  • Nitrogenous bases (Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine)
  • Base pairs (A-T, G-C)
• How are the two DNA strands held together?

  By base pairing between complementary nucleotides
• What does the sugar-phosphate backbone provide to DNA?

  Strength and stability
• What is a nucleotide?

  The basic building block of DNA
• What are nitrogenous bases?

  Building blocks that carry genetic information
• Why is specific pairing of nitrogenous bases important for DNA?

  It ensures accurate replication and information transfer
• How are nucleotides connected in the sugar-phosphate backbone?

  Through phosphodiester bonds
• How do the hydrogen bonds between base pairs contribute to the stability of the DNA double helix?

  A-T base pairs have 2 hydrogen bonds, while G-C base pairs have 3 hydrogen bonds, providing overall structural stability
• How does the sugar-phosphate backbone contribute to DNA's structure?

  It creates a twisted ladder structure
• Why are the base pairs in DNA complementary?

  Because the hydrogen bonding between the base pairs helps stabilize the double helix structure
• How does the structure of DNA differ from RNA?

  DNA has a deoxyribose sugar, while RNA has a ribose sugar