What is the backbone of DNA molecule?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the structural components that form the backbone of a DNA molecule. The DNA backbone is primarily composed of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, which are essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of the DNA structure.
Answer
Alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups
The backbone of the DNA molecule is made up of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
Answer for screen readers
The backbone of the DNA molecule is made up of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
More Information
The sugar-phosphate backbone provides structural stability to the DNA molecule, making it able to store genetic information accurately.
Tips
A common mistake is to think that the bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine) are part of the backbone, but they are actually attached to the sugar molecules.
Sources
- phosphate backbone | Learn Science at Scitable - Nature - nature.com
- Phosphate Backbone - Genome.gov - genome.gov
- What forms the backbone of the DNA molecule? - Socratic - socratic.org
