Biology Section 11.2 DNA Structure (p. 229-231)
Name ________________________
Big Question: How is DNA able to store genetic information, copy it, and pass it from
generation to generation?
Students will be able to:
a) Identify the building blocks of DNA.
b) Describe DNA’s structure.
c) Describe the rules for base pairing in DNA.
1. What is the full molecular name for DNA? ________________________________________
2. DNA is what type of macromolecule? ____________________________________________
3. What is the name of the monomer (building block) for DNA’s macromolecule?
________________________
4. What is the full molecular name for RNA? ________________________________________
5. What are the 3 parts of a DNA nucleotide? ________________________
_________________________ _________________________
6. What are the full names for the 4 nitrogenous base nucleotides found in DNA?
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
7. Which 2 of the 4 bases of DNA are larger and double ringed? _________________________
________________________
8. What type of chemical bond joins nucleotides together? ______________________________
9. What part of one nucleotide is bonded to what part of the next nucleotide to form the
“backbone”? _________________________ bonded to _________________________
10. Do nucleotides always combine in the same sequence? _________________________
11. Can nucleotides vary in length? _________________________
12. How many nucleotide sequences are possible? _________________________
13. Which scientists were able to produce photographs of DNA? When?
_________________________ _________________________ __________
14. What is the shape of DNA? _________________________
15. Who were the scientists who modeled the structure of DNA? _________________________
_________________________
16. Where are the backbones located on the DNA structure? _________________________
17. Where are the nitrogenous bases located on the DNA structure?
_________________________
18. What type of chemical bond joins the two sides of the DNA structure?
_________________________
19. Which nitrogenous base does the base adenine pair with? _________________________
20. Which nitrogenous base does the base cytosine pair with? _________________________
21. What determines the sequence of the bases on the second strand of the double helix?
_________________________
22. When did Watson and Crick describe their model in a scientific journal? _________
23. Analyzing the one strand from a section of DNA from Figure 11-7 on page 230, what is the
sequence of bases on the complementary section? _________________________
Concept Check 11.2 (p. 231)
1. What are the 3 parts of a nucleotide? Which parts make up the backbone of a DNA strand?
2. List the two base pairs found in DNA.
3. If 6 bases on one strand of a DNA double helix are AGTCGG, what are the 6 bases on the
complementary section of the other strand of DNA?