why DNA is helix , not straight strands?
2006-06-06 05:12:00 · 8 answers · asked by OgaLaN 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
DNA is a helix because the paired nucleotide bases meet each other at an angle. The bond angles are also the reason that the molecule is a helix with a larger groove on one side, rather than a twisted ladder structure. I have put some website references below.
2006-06-06 05:23:27 · answer #1 · answered by wcholberg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your DNA is in a helix to save space. If the DNA of a single cell were stretched out, it would be six feet long. That is why it is twisted into a helix.
2006-06-06 20:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. MacArthur 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In each case, a bulkier two-ring base (a purine) is paired with a single-ring base (a pyrimidine); A always pairs with T, and G with C . This complementary base-pairing enables the base pairs to be packed in the energetically most favorable arrangement in the interior of the double helix. In this arrangement, each base pair is of similar width, thus holding the sugar-phosphate backbones an equal distance apart along the DNA molecule. To maximize the efficiency of base-pair packing, the two sugar-phosphate backbones wind around each other to form a double helix, with one complete turn every ten base pairs
2006-06-06 13:23:08 · answer #3 · answered by FarzaneH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DNA stores a lot of information as genes...It is a giant molecule so much longer than cell and if it wants to be kept in cell, it should be helix
2006-06-06 12:27:25 · answer #4 · answered by Steady 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more efficient way to store information. stretched out straight, end to end, all your DNA would stretch for miles. Coiled into a double-helix allows your chromosomes to fit into the nucleus of your cells.
2006-06-06 12:20:40 · answer #5 · answered by UROQ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more effecient, takes up less space, the helix is also needed for protein synthesis
2006-06-06 17:43:04 · answer #6 · answered by Brian Lewis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have been wosrse maybe evolve into a sphere?
2006-06-06 14:24:48 · answer #7 · answered by goring 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
due to the presence of hydrogen bonds!!!!!!!
2006-06-06 12:22:27 · answer #8 · answered by remooooo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋