But really, I would encourage everyone to learn about the unique roles that tRNAs and rRNAs have as well, because each of these fits into the puzzle of life in a wonderfully unique way. And I guess the most obvious one here might be mRNAs, because these are the transcribed forms of genes, the form in which a gene gets read by the cell. C and T bases, which have just one ring, are called pyrimidines, while A and G bases, which have two rings, are called purines. What Is a Sugar-phosphate Backbone If you look at a DNA double helix, it resembles a twisted ladder. So what I think we can share is that the different forms of RNA - mRNA, tRNA, rRNA - each in their own way have absolutely fundamental functions without which the biology of the genome could not be translated into practice. A nucleotide is made up of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) or cytosine (C). But really, when you think about it, RNA, in so many ways, is the actual functional form of nucleic acids that really the body uses to do the business of, you know, constructing cells or responding to immune challenges, of carrying amino acids from one part of the cell to the other, that quite often I feel that RNA doesn't get the respect it deserves. I often think of RNA as being the less well-known cousin of DNA, particularly for people outside the field of biology or genomics. Phosphodiester bonding between nucleotides forms the sugar-phosphate backbone, the alternating sugar-phosphate structure composing the framework of a nucleic acid strand (Figure 3). The sugar and phosphate molecules that form the sugar-phosphate backbone of the molecule are hydrophilic, which means they are water-loving and have an affinity for water.Ribonucleic acid, or RNA. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups. DNA consists of two strands that wind around each other like a twisted ladder. Since the cell cytoplasm and cytosol contain water-based liquids, the nitrogenous bases want to avoid contact with cell fluids. A phosphate backbone is the portion of the DNA double helix that provides structural support to the molecule. These nitrogenous bases are hydrophobic, meaning that they lack an affinity for water. Adenine is bonded with thymine (A-T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C). The hydrogen bonds between the complementary nucleotide bases (adenine-thymine guanine-cytosine) form the rungs. The nitrogenous bases that comprise the steps of the twisted staircase are held together by hydrogen bonds. The phosphate of one deoxyribonucleotide binding to the 3 carbon of the deoxyribose of another forms the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA (the sides of the 'ladder'). The twisting aspect of DNA is a result of interactions between the molecules that make up DNA and water. Maurice Wilkins all played pivotal roles in elucidating the structure of DNA.ĭNA is coiled into chromosomes and tightly packed in the nucleus of our cells.

Both the replication of DNA and the synthesis of proteins in our cells are dependent on the double-helix shape of DNA.The twisting of DNA is the result of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions between the molecules that comprise DNA and water in a cell.This double helix shape is often visualized as a spiral staircase. During the polymerization process, deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTP) are used. Its structure is described as a double-stranded helix held together by complementary base pairs. Attached to each sugar is one of four bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) or thymine (T). Its double helix consists of two spiral chains of DNA. Phosphodiester bonding between nucleotides forms the sugar-phosphate backbone, the alternating sugar-phosphate structure composing the framework of a nucleic acid strand (Figure 22.2. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups. Double helix is the biological term that describes the overall structure of DNA.

Dna sugar phosphate backbone