Question

Chemically, what is an important factor that enables enzymes to separate the strands of DNA without breaking them? HighLighter PopupUnderline Selected TextGreen Color HighlightOrange Color HighlightYellow Color HighlightBlue Color HighlightPink Color HighlightRemove Color Highlight A. Bonds between the strands are basic whereas bonds within the strands are acidic. B. Bonds between the strands require oxidation and bonds within the strands require reduction. C. There are fewer bonds between the strands than within the strands. D. Bonds between the strands are relatively weak hydrogen bonds, whereas bonds within the strands are relatively strong covalent bonds

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Bonds between the strands are relatively weak hydrogen bonds, whereas bonds within the strands are relatively strong covalent bonds

Explanation:

According to Watson and Crick hypothesis on the structure of the deoxyribo nucleic acid, the two double helix strands of the DNA are weakly associated with each other by hydrogen bond. Within the strands, the nucleotide bases are held together by covalent bonds.

The weak hydrogen bond ensures that the two strands are easily separated by the relevant enzyme during the process of replication or transcription. The relatively stronger covalent bond ensures that the nucleotide chains are not broken during the separation of the two strands.

The correct option is D.