Hydrogen Bonding in DNA Base Pairs

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Why would an A:C base pair be unstable?

Due to the lack of space for a water molecule to satisfy the two hydrogen-bond acceptors and donors.

What is base flipping in DNA?

Base flipping is when individual bases protrude from the double helix, allowing enzymes to interact with them.

How do enzymes involved in DNA repair scan DNA for homology or lesions?

Enzymes scan DNA by flipping out one base at a time.

Why is base pairing specificity important in DNA?

Base pairing specificity is important to ensure the complementary pairing of bases, aided by hydrogen bonding. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hydrogen bonding in base-pairing specificity?

Hydrogen bonding helps maintain the stability and specificity of base pairing. Signup and view all the answers

Why does DNA exhibit flexibility despite its double helix structure?

DNA can be more flexible due to the ability of individual bases to be flipped out from the helix. Signup and view all the answers

What stabilizes DNA's helix structure through pi-pi interactions?

Base pairing & stacking Signup and view all the answers

How do the hydrophobic surfaces of DNA bases contribute to the stability of the double helix?

Base stacking Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of hydrogen bonding in DNA's base-pairing specificity?

Important Signup and view all the answers

How do water molecules interact in relation to the hydrophobic surfaces of DNA bases?

More favorably with each other than with the bases Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is responsible for the attraction between stacked bases in DNA's double helix?

Van der Waals interactions Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if you pair adenine (A) with cytosine (C) in DNA?

Incorrect base pairing Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Watson-Crick base pairing in DNA structure?

It ensures that the bases are in their preferred tautomeric states, contributing to the stability and specificity of base pairing. Signup and view all the answers

How does the distance between sugar attachment points contribute to the uniform geometry of base pairs in DNA?

The consistent distance between sugar attachment points allows the base pairs to have exactly the same geometry. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the irregular order of base pairs in DNA is balanced by an overall regular architecture.

Despite the irregular order of base pairs, the overall architecture of DNA is relatively regular due to the base pairs stacking neatly between the sugar-phosphate backbones. Signup and view all the answers

What forces stabilize the DNA double helix besides hydrogen bonding?

Stacking interactions between the bases provide additional stabilization to the DNA double helix. Signup and view all the answers

How does the displacement of water molecules upon strand association contribute to the stability of the DNA double helix?

Displacing water molecules from the bases upon strand association increases entropy, creating disorder that stabilizes the double helix. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of complementary base pairing in DNA's self-encoding character?

Complementary base pairing ensures accurate replication and transmission of genetic information, contributing to DNA's self-encoding character. Signup and view all the answers