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THEORY
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA was first isolated from pus cells by F.
Meischer. DNA is the genetic material that carries genetic information. It is
the linear polymer of large number of deoxyribonucleotides. It is commonly
present in nucleus, cytoplasm in prokaryotes, mitochondria and chloroplast.
DNA consists of purines and pyrimidine bases which carries genetic
information. Also, it contains sugar and phosphate groups which perform
structural role. Normally, a long thread of linear DNA associated with
histone protein is present in eukaryotes. In case of prokaryotes, DNA is not
associated with histone protein and is known as naked DNA.
The physical and chemical properties of DNA were studied by Wilkins and
Franklins by X-Ray diffraction method, The amount of DNA is measured in
picogram (1pg = 10°g). A human cell consists of 5.6pg DNA with a length of
about 174cm.
The DNA consists of four different types of nucleotides:
a. Adenine(A)
b. Thymine(T)
c. Guanine(6)
d. Cytosine(C)
Also, the composition of the nucleotides are such that A+G = T+C (By
Chargaff's Rule)
The nucleotides of each of two strands of the DNA are bounded to each
other by covalent 3'-5' phosphodiester linkage. The end of linear strand
which bears a free 5' phosphate group without phosphodiester bond is called
5' end. The opposite end which bears a free 3'-hydroxyl group is called the 3°
end, Based on the number of base pair in one complete turn, DNA are as: A-
DNA, B-DNA, C-DNA, D-DNA and Z-DNA. Structure of DNA
Based on the data of Wilkins and Franklins and also based on Chargaff's rule,
Watson and Crick (1953) proposed a double helix model of DNA. It is also
known as Watson and Crick model of DNA. According to this, the structure
of DNA is as follows:
1
2.
It is the right- handed double stranded B-DNA.
Each strands are made up of phosphate and deoxyribose sugar.
Phosphate and sugar are linked together with the help of
phosphodiester bond.
. Both strands are plectonemically coiled with each other
4, Both strands are held together with the help of hydrogen bond
present in between two nitrogen bases
. Nitrogen bases are attached at right angles to long axis of DNA
strand.
. Both strands of DNA molecule run in anti-parallel direction i.e. one in
3'-5' direction and the other in 5'-3' direction.
. Base pairing is highly specific i.e. purine bases always pair with
pyrimidine bases respectively as: A=T and G=C.
. Due to specific base pairing, both strands are complementary with
each other.
. The diameter of DNA helix is 20A, 1 complete spiral or turn of DNA
helix measures 34 A with 10 base pairs. Hence, the distance between
two adjacent base pairs is 3.4 A
[Link] strands of DNA molecule do not code for genetic information and
only one strand (3'-5') codes for genetic information known as master
strand, Structure of DNA (Doubke Helix Model)