Question

Describe the dna structure using the terms nucleotides, backbone, and orientation.

Answer 1

The term DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and contains genetic information in its double-stranded helical structure.

Explanation:

A nucleotide can be said to be the basic building block of the DNA molecule. Each of these nucleotides is composed of three components:

1. A phosphate group
2. A sugar group
3. A nitrogen base

The genetic code contained within the DNA is determined by the sequence/order in which these bases occur.

The DNA backbone is made up of the sugar-phosphate nucleic acids framework. These groups occur in an alternating manner, in repeating patterns.

The structure of DNA is fairly regular, as in the following parameters are constant - orientation, length of the strand, width and number of nucleotides. These double-stranded molecules are asymmetrical, with the two disjoint strands intertwined with each other, connected by means of hydrogen bonds.