The nucleotide chains of DNA are held together by:
Understand the Problem
The question is asking what type of bonds or forces hold the nucleotide chains of DNA together. This typically refers to complementary base pairing and the specific types of chemical bonds involved.
Answer
hydrogen bonds
The final answer is hydrogen bonds.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is hydrogen bonds.
More Information
Hydrogen bonds form between the nitrogenous bases of opposite strands of DNA, specifically between adenine and thymine, and cytosine and guanine. These weak bonds are critical for the double-helix structure and easy separation during DNA replication and transcription.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the bonds that hold the backbone (phosphodiester bonds) with those holding the strands together (hydrogen bonds).
Sources
- Nucleotides and the double helix - Life Sciences Cyberbridge - cyberbridge.mcb.harvard.edu
- What kinds of bonds holds two strands of a DNA molecule together? - socratic.org
- Base Pair - National Human Genome Research Institute - genome.gov
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