DNA Structure
Components
DNA is what makes up who you are. It carries all the coding for your genetic makeup. DNA is a polymer of nucleotides which are consisted of deoxyribosomes. This helps connect the sugar to the phosphate group to make the backbone of the DNA molecule. There are four different types of the nucleotides in the DNA molecule; Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T).
Purine Bases
Adenine and Guanine
The largest bases found in DNA.
Made of 5 carbon and 4 nitrogen that form a fused ring.
The largest bases found in DNA.
Made of 5 carbon and 4 nitrogen that form a fused ring.
Pyrimidine Bases
Cytosine and thymine
Made of 6 carbons and 2 nitrogen that form a fused ring.
Made of 6 carbons and 2 nitrogen that form a fused ring.
Base Pairs
A bonds with 2 hydrogen with T on the opposite strand
G bonds with 3 hydrogen with C on the opposite strand
G bonds with 3 hydrogen with C on the opposite strand
Deoxyribose Sugar
This is the backbone of the DNA molecule. Consists of 5 carbons and 3 oxygen. They link to the phosphate groups to complete the DNA backbone and support structure.
Nucleotides/Nucleosides
Covalently bonds to sugar phosphates. Nucleosides lack the phosphate groups.
DNA Backbone
Sugar phosphate alternating sequence. Bonds by ester (phosphodiester) bonds.
DNA Double Helix
DNA is a double stranded macromolecule the has two DNA strands form a helical spiral. The polynucleotide chains run in opposite directions from each other. The double helix winds around an axis which gives the DNA a spherical shape. The bases pairs stack on top of each other like a staircase.
Resources
http://www.blc.arizona.edu/molecular_graphics/dna_structure/dna_tutorial.html
http://www.johnkyrk.com/DNAanatomy.html
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/aminoacids/dna1.html
http://www.johnkyrk.com/DNAanatomy.html
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/aminoacids/dna1.html