Double helix

Definition

The double helix is the structure of DNA, characterized by two intertwined strands that coil around each other, resembling a twisted ladder. This formation is crucial for the storage and transmission of genetic information, with each strand consisting of a backbone made of sugar and phosphate groups, and rungs composed of paired nitrogenous bases. The specific base pairing and the helical structure enable DNA to replicate accurately and serve as a template for RNA synthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The double helix was first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, based on X-ray diffraction data provided by Rosalind Franklin.
2. Each complete turn of the double helix is about 10 base pairs long, giving it a consistent structure that is critical for its function.
3. The double helix structure allows for efficient packing of DNA within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells while also providing stability to the genetic material.
4. The hydrogen bonds between paired bases provide just enough stability for the strands to separate during DNA replication and transcription, while also allowing for some flexibility.
5. In addition to DNA, certain types of RNA can also form double-stranded structures, although they typically exist as single strands or can form complex three-dimensional shapes.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of the double helix contribute to the stability and replication of DNA?
  • The double helix structure contributes to DNA stability through its complementary base pairing and hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases, which hold the strands together. This arrangement allows for accurate replication because each strand serves as a template for synthesizing a new complementary strand. Additionally, the helical shape ensures that DNA is compactly organized within the nucleus while providing enough flexibility to unwind when necessary during replication.
• Compare and contrast the roles of nucleotides and base pairing in forming the double helix structure.
  • Nucleotides are the fundamental units that make up the DNA strands, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base. Base pairing involves specific interactions between complementary nitrogenous bases—adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine—forming the 'rungs' of the double helix. While nucleotides create the overall backbone structure of DNA, base pairing is essential for maintaining the integrity of the double helix and ensuring accurate genetic information transfer.
• Evaluate the significance of antiparallel strands in the context of DNA's function in genetic inheritance.
  • Antiparallel strands are critical to DNA's function in genetic inheritance because they facilitate proper base pairing during replication. Each strand's orientation allows enzymes like DNA polymerase to synthesize new strands in a directionally dependent manner—5' to 3'. This structural feature ensures that genetic information is accurately copied and passed on during cell division. The antiparallel arrangement also supports mechanisms such as proofreading by DNA repair enzymes, which recognize mismatches more effectively due to strand orientation.

Related terms

nucleotides: The building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate group.

base pairing: The specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases in DNA, where adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine.

antiparallel: The orientation of the two strands in the DNA double helix, where one strand runs in the 5' to 3' direction and the other runs in the 3' to 5' direction.