What is the shape and composition of DNA?
The DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around one another to form a shape known as a double helix. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
What is the composition of DNA molecule?
DNA has three types of chemical component: phosphate, a sugar called deoxyribose, and four nitrogenous bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Two of the bases, adenine and guanine, have a double-ring structure characteristic of a type of chemical called a purine.
How is the shape of a DNA molecule typically described?
In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson described the molecular shape of DNA as a “double helix.” Double-stranded DNA is composed of two linear strands that run opposite to each other, known as anti-parallel strands; these strands twist together to form a double helix.
What is the shape and function of DNA?
Scientist use the term “double helix” to describe DNA’s winding, two-stranded chemical structure. This shape – which looks much like a twisted ladder – gives DNA the power to pass along biological instructions with great precision.
Which best describes the shape of a complete DNA molecule?
DNA has a unique ‘double helix’ shape, like a twisted ladder.
What does a DNA molecule look like?
Earlier work had shown that DNA is composed of building blocks called nucleotides consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogen bases — adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).
What are the three main components of a DNA molecule?
In turn, each nucleotide is itself made up of three primary components: a nitrogen-containing region known as a nitrogenous base, a carbon-based sugar molecule called deoxyribose, and a phosphorus-containing region known as a phosphate group attached to the sugar molecule (Figure 1).
How is the structure of a DNA molecule arranged?
DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Nucleotides are attached together to form two long strands that spiral to create a structure called a double helix. If you think of the double-helix structure as a ladder, the phosphate and sugar molecules would be the sides, while the base pairs would be the rungs.
What determines the primary structure of a DNA molecule?
The sequence of bases in the nucleic acid chain gives the primary structure of DNA or RNA. The base‐pairing of complementary nucleotides gives the secondary structure of a nucleic acid. In a double‐stranded DNA or RNA, this refers to the Watson‐Crick pairing of complementary strands.
What are the components of the DNA and RNA molecule?
Both DNA and RNA are made from nucleotides, each containing a five-carbon sugar backbone, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base. DNA provides the code for the cell ‘s activities, while RNA converts that code into proteins to carry out cellular functions.
Which best describes the shape of a DNA molecule quizlet?
What is the shape of a DNA molecule? Double helix.
How would you describe the structure of a DNA molecule?
DNA structure. DNA is the molecule that holds the instructions for growth and development in every living thing. Its structure is described as a double-stranded helix held together by complementary base pairs. The basic units of DNA are nucleotides. These nucleotides consist of a deoxyribose sugar, phosphate and base.
What is the overall structure of the DNA molecule?
General Genetics/Structure of the DNA Molecule. DNA is generally found as a double helix, composed of two chains, or strands, of nucleotides held together by hydrogen bonds.
What does the shape of a DNA molecule look like?
It consists of two biopolymer strands coiling around each other, with nucleotides connecting them in the middle. DNA molecules are the molecules with the famous double helix shape. It consists of two biopolymer strands coiling around each other, with nucleotides connecting them in the middle.
What is the overall shape of DNA?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a type of macromolecule known as a nucleic acid. It is shaped like a twisted double helix and is composed of long strands of alternating sugars and phosphate groups, along with nitrogenous bases ( adenine , thymine , guanine , and cytosine).