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Explain what is meant by anti-parallel strands in DNA.
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Anti-parallel strands refer to the opposite orientation of the two DNA strands – one strand runs 5' to 3' while the other runs 3' to 5'.
What are polynucleotides?
Polynucleotides are long chains of nucleotides forming DNA or RNA.
What structural feature distinguishes DNA from RNA?
DNA is double-stranded with deoxyribose sugar, RNA is single-stranded with ribose sugar.
What are the three main components of a nucleotide?
Nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, phosphate group
What is the significance of complementary base pairing?
It ensures accurate replication and transcription by maintaining consistent base-pair distances and specific binding.
Who are the scientists credited with discovering the double helix structure of DNA?
James Watson and Francis Crick
How many hydrogen bonds link cytosine to guanine in DNA?
Three hydrogen bonds
In the context of nucleotides, what is the difference between deoxyribose and ribose?
Deoxyribose is the sugar found in DNA, lacking one oxygen atom compared to ribose, which is the sugar in RNA.
Name the types of nitrogenous bases in nucleotides.
Purines (Adenine and Guanine) and Pyrimidines (Cytosine, Uracil, and Thymine)
How does RNA differ structurally from DNA?
RNA is single-stranded, has ribose sugar, and uses uracil instead of thymine.
Why can DNA be copied accurately during replication?
Due to complementary base pairing and the specificity of hydrogen bonds.
How do adenine and thymine pair together in DNA?
Adenine pairs with Thymine through two hydrogen bonds.
What discovery is Rosalind Franklin associated with in the context of DNA?
Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images helped elucidate the double-helical structure of DNA.
What is the role of phosphodiester bonds in DNA?
Phosphodiester bonds link the sugar-phosphate backbone, providing structural integrity.
Describe the significance of hydrogen bonds in DNA structure.
Hydrogen bonds maintain the DNA's double-helix shape, provide stability, and enable accurate replication and transcription.
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