Q. 17.23 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

List three structural characteristics of $\mathrm{DNA}$.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The backbone structure of  is made up of phosphate and sugar.  Adenine$\left(\mathrm{A}\right)$ , guanine $\left(\mathrm{G}\right)$, thymine $\left(\mathrm{T}\right)$, and cytosine $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ are the four nucleotides found in $\mathrm{DNA} \left(\mathrm{C}\right)$. Adenine forms two hydrogen bonds with thymine in $\mathrm{DNA}$, while guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with cytosine.

Step 1: Given Introduction

        Nucleic acids are organic macromolecules that are present all over the cell. They were first discovered in the nuclei of cells. The nucleic acids $\mathrm{DNA}$ (deoxyribonucleic acid) and $\mathrm{RNA}$ (ribonucleic acid) are found in all known forms of life.

Step 2: Given Explanation

      Watson and Crick were the first to propose the structure of $\mathrm{DNA}$. They believe $\mathrm{DNA}$ was built in a double-helix structure. It has two polynucleotide strands that are antiparallel to each other. The backbone structure of $\mathrm{DNA}$ is made up of phosphate and sugar.

Step 3: Conclusion

     Adenine $\left(\mathrm{A}\right)$, guanine $\left(\mathrm{G}\right)$, thymine $\left(\mathrm{T}\right)$, and cytosine $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ are the four nucleotides found in  $\mathrm{DNA} \left(\mathrm{C}\right)$. Adenine forms two hydrogen bonds with thymine in $\mathrm{DNA}$, while guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with cytosine.