Multiple Choice
Which is the most accurate statement about the DNA double helix?
2
views
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure
DNA Structure
Struggling with Genetics?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which structural characteristic best describes a DNA molecule?
A
It is composed of a single strand of nucleotides arranged in a linear fashion.
B
Its sugar-phosphate backbone is located on the inside of the helix.
C
It contains uracil instead of thymine as one of its bases.
D
It consists of two antiparallel strands forming a double helix.
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the basic structure of DNA: DNA is composed of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Understand that DNA is typically double-stranded, with two strands running in opposite directions; this is called antiparallel orientation.
Recognize that the two strands twist around each other to form a double helix, which is a key structural feature of DNA.
Note that the sugar-phosphate backbone is located on the outside of the helix, providing structural support, while the nitrogenous bases pair in the interior.
Differentiate DNA from RNA by remembering that DNA contains thymine as a base, not uracil, and that DNA is double-stranded, not single-stranded.
Related Videos
Related Practice
