DNA structure, functions, replication

DNA Structure, Function, Replication

DNA Structure

The structural form of DNA, which is a double helix resembling a twisted ladder.

Double Helix

The shape of DNA, formed by two intertwined strands of nucleotides.

Nucleotide

The basic unit of DNA, composed of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base.

Chargaff's Rules

Rules stating that Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T) and Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C), indicating complementary base pairing.

Semi-Conservative Replication

A method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one new strand.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that reads DNA strands and builds new complementary strands during replication, while also proofreading for errors.

DNA Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous base pairs.

Hydrogen Bonds

The type of bonds that hold the two strands of the DNA helix together, with A-T pairs having 2 and G-C pairs having 3.

Watson & Crick

Scientists who discovered the double helix structure of DNA based on Rosalind Franklin's X-ray crystallography images.

Base Pairing Rules

The rules that define how nitrogenous bases pair in DNA: A with T and G with C to maintain the structure of DNA.