Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA Structure

Genetics

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA Structure

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1:10 minutes

Problem 8d

Textbook Question

The following figure (Figure 1.6) presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

How many hydrogen bonds are present in this DNA duplex?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure of DNA. DNA is a double-stranded molecule where each strand is composed of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), or cytosine (C)). The two strands are complementary and antiparallel, meaning one strand runs 5' to 3' while the other runs 3' to 5'.

Step 2: Write the given sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' in the correct orientation. Since the sequence is provided in the 3' to 5' direction, you can directly use it as the template strand.

Step 3: Determine the complementary strand. Use the base-pairing rules: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) via two hydrogen bonds, and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) via three hydrogen bonds. Write the complementary strand in the 5' to 3' direction, ensuring the antiparallel orientation.

Step 4: Count the hydrogen bonds. For each A-T pair, there are 2 hydrogen bonds, and for each G-C pair, there are 3 hydrogen bonds. Identify the number of A-T and G-C pairs in the sequence and calculate the total number of hydrogen bonds.

Step 5: Verify your work. Double-check the complementary strand for correct base pairing and antiparallel orientation. Ensure the total hydrogen bond count matches the number of base pairs in the DNA duplex.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of three components: a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information. In DNA, the four types of nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). Understanding the structure of nucleotides is essential for analyzing DNA sequences.

Complementary Base Pairing

In DNA, complementary base pairing refers to the specific pairing of nitrogenous bases across the two strands of the double helix. Adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) through two hydrogen bonds, while cytosine pairs with guanine (C-G) through three hydrogen bonds. This pairing is crucial for the stability of the DNA structure and for accurate DNA replication and transcription.

Hydrogen Bonds in DNA

Hydrogen bonds are weak interactions that occur between the nitrogenous bases of the two DNA strands, contributing to the overall stability of the DNA double helix. Each A-T pair forms two hydrogen bonds, while each C-G pair forms three. The total number of hydrogen bonds in a DNA duplex can be calculated by analyzing the base pairs in the given sequence and their complements.

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Textbook Question

One strand of a fragment of duplex DNA has the sequence 5'-ATCGACCTGATC-3'.

What is the name of the bond that joins one nucleotide to another in the DNA strand?

548

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Textbook Question

One strand of a fragment of duplex DNA has the sequence 5'-ATCGACCTGATC-3'.

What is the sequence of the other strand in the duplex?

554

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Textbook Question

The principles of complementary base pairing and antiparallel polarity of nucleic acid strands in a duplex are universal for the formation of nucleic acid duplexes. What is the chemical basis for this universality?

492

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Textbook Question

For the following fragment of DNA, determine the number of hydrogen bonds and the number of phosphodiester bonds present:

5'-ACGTAGAGTGCTC-3'

3'-TGCATCTCACGAG-5'

730

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Textbook Question

The following figure (Figure 1.6) presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

How many phosphodiester bonds are present in this DNA duplex?

353

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Textbook Question

What kind of bonds join the C in one strand to the G in the complementary strand?

411

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Textbook Question

What kind of bond joins the C to G within a single strand?

363

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Textbook Question