Which answer choice below correctly describes the structure of DNA
Sugar phosphate backbone with nitrogen base coming off a single helix
Sugar nitrogen base backbone with phosphates in the middle forming a double helix
Nitrogen bases on the outside with sugar phosphates in the middle of a double helix
A sugar phosphate
backbone with nitrogen bases in the middle forming a double helix
A sugar phosphate backbone with nitrogen bases in the middle forming a double helix.
The correct answer choice that describes the structure of DNA is "Sugar phosphate backbone with nitrogen bases coming off a single helix."
To understand why this is the correct answer, let's break it down:
1. DNA is made up of two long strands that are connected to each other, forming a double helix structure.
2. Each strand of DNA consists of alternating sugar molecules (deoxyribose) and phosphate molecules, which create a sugar-phosphate backbone.
3. The sugar-phosphate backbone runs along the outside edges of the DNA strands and provides stability to the molecule.
4. Nitrogen bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) are attached to the sugar molecules and extend towards the center of the DNA molecule.
5. The nitrogen bases pair up with each other across the two DNA strands through hydrogen bonding, where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).
6. The nitrogen bases in the center of the DNA molecule form base pairs, which allow for the complementary pairing and replication of DNA.
Therefore, the correct answer choice, "Sugar phosphate backbone with nitrogen bases coming off a single helix," accurately describes the structure of DNA.
The correct answer choice is:
Sugar phosphate backbone with nitrogen base coming off a single helix.