A, C, T, G – the structures that bond to sugar in the DNA molecule and make the “rungs” of the ladder
The structures that bond to sugar in the DNA molecule and form the “rungs” of the ladder are the nitrogenous bases
The structures that bond to sugar in the DNA molecule and form the “rungs” of the ladder are the nitrogenous bases. DNA is made up of a double helix structure, with two strands that are held together by these nitrogenous bases.
There are four types of nitrogenous bases found in DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and guanine (G). These bases are organic compounds containing nitrogen, and they play a crucial role in carrying genetic information.
The DNA strands are composed of sugar molecules called deoxyribose, which form the backbone of the molecule. These sugar molecules are linked together by phosphate groups. The nitrogenous bases are attached to the sugar molecules, and they extend towards the center of the double helix, forming hydrogen bonds with their complementary bases on the opposite strand.
The specific pairing of these nitrogenous bases is referred to as base pairing. Adenine always pairs with thymine, forming two hydrogen bonds, while cytosine always pairs with guanine, forming three hydrogen bonds. These base pairs provide stability to the DNA structure by holding the two strands together.
The arrangement of these nitrogenous bases along with the sugar-phosphate backbone forms a ladder-like structure, where the bases act as the rungs or steps of the ladder. This ladder-like structure is known as the DNA double helix. The sequence of these nitrogenous bases, or the genetic code, carries the instructions for building and functioning of an organism.
Understanding the structure and base pairing in DNA is crucial to many fields of science, such as genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. It allows scientists to study and manipulate DNA, enabling advancements in fields like genetic engineering, gene therapy, and forensic science.
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