Double Helix Structure of DNA

Double Helix Structure of DNA: f13bf4b7-2436-47f1-bab9-7137542ad362
/dʌb(ə)l/ hiːlɪks / strʌktʃə(r) / ɒv / diː en ˈeɪ/ | noun
Definition: DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a long polymer.It acts as genetic

material for most of the living organisms. The length of the DNA is usually dependent
upon the presence of the number of nucleotides. The nucleotides are referred to as
base pairs.
Overview of Double Helix Structure of DNA
DNA was first identified by Friedrich Miescher, and he named it nuclein. Another
scientist, Altman found the nucleic material to be acidic and named it as nucleic acid.
There are two types of nucleic acids present in livings beings, namely, the DNA and
RNA (ribonucleic acid). RNA acts as a genetic material in most of the viruses.
Structure of the Polynucelotide Chain of the DNA
The significant or the basic unit of the polymeric chain of DNA is the nucleotide. The
nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group are the three primary
components of the nucleotide. In DNA, the pentose sugar is deoxyribose. There are
two types of nitrogenous bases present in DNA, which are as follows:
1. Purines: These are heterocyclic, nine-membered, and double ring-like
structures with nitrogen at the positions 1,3,7, and 9. Examples of the purines
are adenine (A) and guanine (G).
2. Pyrimidines: These are also heterocyclic, six-membered, and ring-like
structures with the nitrogen at 1 and 3 positions. Cytosine (C) and thymine (T)
are examples of pyrimidines.
The polymer of the DNA has the following types of linkages:
1. N-glycosidic linkage: The formation of the nucleoside is facilitated by this

type of linkage. The pentose sugar is joined with the nitrogenous base to form
a nucleoside by this type of linkage.
2. Phosphodiester linkage: This type of linkage facilitates the formation of the
nucleotide. The phosphate group is linked with the hydroxyl group of the
nucleoside by this type of linkage.
The polymer chain comprises of the phosphate group that is present at the 5’-OH
group of the pentose sugar and is known as the 5’ end. In the same way, the other free
end of the chain of DNA molecule has a 3’-OH group and is considered as 3’ end.
The backbone or the skeleton of the DNA is formed of a polynucleotide chain with
the help of sugar and phosphates.
Derivation of the DNA structure:
There are two types of investigations that are supported in the derivation of the DNA
structure. These are mentioned below:
 X-ray Crystallography: The X-ray diffracted pictures of the nucleic material

(DNA) were described by Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. The helix
of the DNA was repeated at 3.4 Angstrom.
 Erwin Chargaff’s rule: Some of the generalizations were put forwards

concerning the double-stranded structure of DNA. Purine and pyrimidine are
found in equal ratio.
Watson and Crick model of DNA

The double-helical model of DNA molecule was proposed by James Watson and
Francis Crick. Salient features of this model of DNA is described below:
 The DNA includes the two polynucleotide chains. A sugar-phosphate

backbone is formed.
 The nucleotide chains of DNA run in an antiparallel manner. One runs with
the 5’ to 3’ polarity and the other one runs with the 3’ to 5’ polarity.
 DNA comprises of paired nitrogenous bases. Adenine is linked with thymine
with the help of double hydrogen bonds. Cytosine pairs with guanine through
triple hydrogen bonds. Due to this type of pairing, purine always lies opposite
to the pyrimidine. This helps in creating a distance between the helix of the
two strands.
 The strands of the DNA are twisted in the right-handed fashion. The pitch of
the helix is about 3.4 nanometers. The DNA has about 10 base pairs in each
turn; therefore, the distance between the base pairs is 0.34 nanometer.
The polarity, along with the hydrogen bonds in DNA, is shown below:
Functions of DNA
The DNA carries genetic or hereditary information. This information is carried

forward to the next generation. The variation in the organisms is commonly observed
because of the crossing over of chromatids at the time of the meiosis. Mutations are
caused due to changes in some base pairs of the DNA molecule. It is also used in
DNA fingerprinting for various criminal investigations. Parental matching of the child
can be done with the help of DNA fingerprinting. Autocatalytic function in DNA is
usually observed, which means a new DNA molecule can be formed by the synthesis
of DNA. DNA controls the growth and metabolism.
Key Takeaways
 DNA is known as deoxyribose nucleic acid. It appears as a long polymer of

nucleotides. The nucleotides are the main skeletal components of the DNA.
 Pentose sugar (deoxyribose) is found in the polymer. Equal number of sugar
molecules and phosphate residues are present in the DNA molecule.
 Guanine is equimolar with cytosine. Adenine is equimolar with thymine. All
the purines and pyrimidines are joined with the help of hydrogen bonds.
 Two chains run in antiparallel directions (3’ to 5’ and 5’ to 3’).

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Double Helix Structure of DNA: f13bf4b7-2436-47f1-bab9-7137542ad362

/dʌb(ə)l/ hiːlɪks / strʌktʃə(r) / ɒv / diː en ˈeɪ/ | noun

Definition: DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a long polymer.It acts as genetic

Overview of Double Helix Structure of DNA

Structure of the Polynucelotide Chain of the DNA

The polymer of the DNA has the following types of linkages:

1. N-glycosidic linkage: The formation of the nucleoside is facilitated by this

 X-ray Crystallography: The X-ray diffracted pictures of the nucleic material

 Erwin Chargaff’s rule: Some of the generalizations were put forwards

Watson and Crick model of DNA

 The DNA includes the two polynucleotide chains. A sugar-phosphate

The DNA carries genetic or hereditary information. This information is carried

 DNA is known as deoxyribose nucleic acid. It appears as a long polymer of

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