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The dna structure and function compared to the rna
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The dna structure and function compared to the rna Nucleotides polymerise by forming bonds between carbon 3 of the sugar and an oxygen atom of the phosphate. This is a condensation polymerisation reaction. The bases do not take part in the polymerisation, so there is a sugar-phosphate backbone with the bases extending off it. This means that the nucleotides can join together in any order along the chain. Many nucleotides form a polynucleotide. A polynucleotide has a free phosphate group at one end and a free OH group at the other end. Structure of DNA The three-dimensional structure of DNA was discovered in the 1950's by Watson and Crick. The main features of the structure are: * DNA is double-stranded, so there are two polynucleotide stands alongside each other. The strands are antiparallel, i.e. they run in opposite directions. * The two strands are wound round each other to form a double helix. *...
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