What is the primary function of the major and minor grooves in the DNA double helix?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the roles of the major and minor grooves in the structure of DNA, specifically which of the provided options accurately describes their primary function.
Answer
Facilitate binding of proteins for replication and transcription control.
The primary function of the major and minor grooves in the DNA double helix is to serve as binding sites for DNA-binding proteins and other molecules, which control activities like replication and transcription.
Answer for screen readers
The primary function of the major and minor grooves in the DNA double helix is to serve as binding sites for DNA-binding proteins and other molecules, which control activities like replication and transcription.
More Information
The major and minor grooves allow specific binding of proteins and enzymes that recognize DNA sequences without having to separate the strands, essential for efficient and accurate replication and transcription processes.
Tips
Common mistakes include not recognizing the functional difference between the major and minor grooves. The major groove is more accessible and often participates in specific, high-affinity binding due to it being wider, while the minor groove is narrower.
Sources
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
