18 Questions
Which term describes the arrangement of DNA strands running in opposite directions?
Antiparallel
What is the spacing between base-pairs in DNA?
0.34 nm
How many bases are typically present per turn in the right-handed helix formation of DNA?
10 bases
Where are nitrogenous bases more accessible in the DNA molecule?
Major groove
In what direction does one polynucleotide strand run in DNA?
5' → 3'
How does the right-handed helix formation of DNA affect DNA-protein interactions?
It influences accessibility of nitrogenous bases for protein binding
What is the main function of DNA as described in the text?
Storing and transmitting genetic information
Why were scientists originally unsure whether DNA or proteins encoded genetic information?
The chemical properties of proteins favored encoding genetic information.
What property of DNA made it ideal for storing and transmitting genetic information?
Reliability in carrying heritable information
Why were scientists led to believe that proteins might be the genetic material?
DNA initially appeared less capable of encoding genetic information.
Which property of proteins made them less than ideal for storing and transmitting genetic information?
Insufficient reliability in carrying heritable information
What function was crucial for DNA to maintain genetic variation?
Generation of mutations
What technique did Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin use to study the molecular structure of DNA?
X-ray crystallography
What critical piece of evidence did Watson and Crick use to determine the structure of DNA?
Franklin's X-ray diffraction image
Why did Watson and Crick realize that the bases in DNA could not pair like with like?
It would create a helix with an inconsistent width
In DNA, which base pairs have three hydrogen bonds between them?
G-C pairs
What observation by Chargaff influenced Watson and Crick's correct base pairing deduction?
$A = T$ and $G = C$ in any organism
What technique did Watson and Crick use to deduce the width of the helix and the spacing of the nitrogenous bases in DNA?
X-ray crystallography
Test your knowledge on the structure of DNA backbones, including the arrangement of sugar-phosphate backbones and antiparallel double helix formation. Understand the concept of base-pair spacing and the directionality of polynucleotides in DNA strands.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
