DNA Structure And Its Role As The Chemical Basis Of Heredity

Structure & functions of DNA
Answer:

Structure:

It is a right-handed double helix
The width of a double helix is 20 Armstrong
Each turn of the helix is 34 Armstrong
Helix consists of two polydeoxyribonucleotide chains twisted around each other on a common axis
The two strands are anti-parallel
Each strand has a hydrophilic deoxyribose phosphate on the outside while the hydrophobic bases are inside
The two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds
Hydrogen bonds are formed between a purine & pyrimidine only
The two dinucleotide chains are not identical but complementary to each other
Genetic information resides on the template strand or sense strand
Opposite strand is antisense strand

Functions:

DNA is the chemical basis of hereditary
It may be regarded as the reserve bank of genetic information
It is exclusively responsible for maintaining the identity of different species of organisms
Every aspect of cellular function is under the control of DNA
It is organized into genes which are THE fundamental units of genetic information
These genes control protein synthesis through the mediation of RNA

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