DNA Structure & Replication

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What is DNA?

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is composed of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix.

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What are the building blocks of DNA?

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The building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base.

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What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?

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The four nitrogenous bases in DNA are Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

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How do nitrogenous bases pair in DNA?

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In DNA, Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T) and Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C-G) through hydrogen bonds.

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What is the sugar-phosphate backbone?

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The sugar-phosphate backbone is the structural framework of DNA, consisting of alternating sugar and phosphate groups that form the sides of the DNA ladder.

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What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

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DNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for adding matching nucleotides to the exposed strands of DNA during replication.

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What is the function of helicase in DNA replication?

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Helicase is the enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of the DNA double helix during replication.

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What are weak hydrogen bonds?

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Weak hydrogen bonds are the type of bonds that hold the nitrogenous bases together in the DNA double helix, allowing the strands to separate easily during replication.

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What is the significance of complementary base pairing?

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Complementary base pairing ensures accurate DNA replication and the preservation of genetic information.

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What happens during DNA replication?

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During DNA replication, the DNA molecule unwinds, each strand serves as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand, resulting in two identical DNA molecules.