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Q.Draw only labelled diagram of a DNA double helix structure.

Uttar Pradesh UpmspUP Board (UPMSP) Intermediate 2023Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Figure — The stem hard-requires a labelled diagram of the DNA double-helix structure; catalog fig-5-3 'DNA double helix
Figure — The stem hard-requires a labelled diagram of the DNA double-helix structure; catalog fig-5-3 'DNA double helix

DNA is a right-handed double helix of two antiparallel strands: sugar-phosphate backbones outside, A–T and G–C base pairs (held by H-bonds) inside; one turn = 3.4 nm (10 bp).

Concept (Watson & Crick, 1953): DNA is a double helix made of two polynucleotide chains coiled around a common axis in a right-handed manner.

Description of the labelled diagram to draw (a twisted ladder):

  • Two antiparallel strands: one runs 5′→3′5' \to 3' and the other 3′→5′3' \to 5' (label the polarity at the ends).
  • Sugar–phosphate backbone: the alternating deoxyribose sugar and phosphate groups form the two outer rails/uprights of the ladder (label 'sugar–phosphate backbone').
  • Nitrogen base pairs: the rungs inside — Adenine pairs with Thymine (A=T, 2 hydrogen bonds) and Guanine pairs with Cytosine (G≡C, 3 hydrogen bonds). Label the hydrogen bonds.
  • Grooves: mark the major groove and minor groove on the twisted helix.
  • Dimensions to label:
    • Distance between two adjacent base pairs = 0.34 nm (3.4 Å). …

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