Structure of DNA
DNA is referred to as a _Polymer_. This means that it is a long chain of smaller
molecules linked together. In the case of DNA, it is made of things called _Nucleotides_
linked end to end.
What is a nucleotide?
o A nucleotide consists of a 5-sided sugar called _Deoxyribose___
o A _Nitrogen (ous)_ __Base_ (either adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine)
o A _Phosphate__
Put the three of these together and they form a nucleotide.
Edwin Chargaff determined that certain bases always bind with certain bases. More
specifically, Adenine always binds with Thymine, and Guanine always binds with
Cytosine.
_A_ - _T_
and _G_-_C_
This is called _Chargaff’s_ Rule
The bonds between the bases are __Hydrogen_ bonds.
The sequence of the _Bases__ is what determines
the traits characteristics, etc. in an organisms.
A
T
G
C
C
G
T
A