Compare hydrogen bonds and VDW contact energy values. Which contributes more to stabilizing molecular interactions? Compare VDW and hydrogen bonds to the repulsion of two phosphate... Compare hydrogen bonds and VDW contact energy values. Which contributes more to stabilizing molecular interactions? Compare VDW and hydrogen bonds to the repulsion of two phosphate groups in DNA separated by 9 Å. Show your work. Assemble all calculated values into a concept map indicating magnitude of effect and which form (dsDNA or ssDNA) this interaction favors.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to compare and analyze the energy contributions of hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals (VDW) interactions in DNA molecular interactions. It requires calculating specific numbers and creating a visual concept map to represent the findings.
Answer
Hydrogen bonds stabilize more than VDW. DNA stabilization: phosphate repulsion < hydrogen bonds.
Hydrogen bonds contribute more to stabilizing molecular interactions than van der Waals forces due to their higher energy values. Phosphate group repulsion is significant compared to VDW but less than hydrogen bonding; this impacts DNA stabilization, favoring dsDNA structure.
Answer for screen readers
Hydrogen bonds contribute more to stabilizing molecular interactions than van der Waals forces due to their higher energy values. Phosphate group repulsion is significant compared to VDW but less than hydrogen bonding; this impacts DNA stabilization, favoring dsDNA structure.
More Information
Hydrogen bonds significantly stabilize double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) while phosphate repulsion is minimized. Overall, these factors favor dsDNA's structural integrity.
Tips
Avoid assuming VDW interactions are negligible; they are weak but numerous.
Sources
- Understanding Intermolecular Forces - Hydrogen Bonds and VDW - chem.libretexts.org
- Biophysical Chemistry - Phosphate Group Interactions - sciencedirect.com
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
