Why is the DNA structure referred to a double helix?

Answer 1

this should provide you a good starting point for understanding what it looks like..

http://www.blc.arizona.edu/Molecular_Graphics/DNA_Structure/DNA_Tutorial.HTML

then, a helix is a spiral shaped object, like a spiral staircase. DNA has two of these that are intertwined with each other, thus it is called double helix

Answer 2

It's called a double helix because one strand of dna would be like A G C C T A G and the other would then be T C G G A C It takes two strands to make dna . atleast that's how i was taught...

Answer 3

Its a double helix because two strands of complementary DNA bond with each other across their bases A-T G-C and it forms a spiraling staircase type structure.

Answer 4

When originally characterized by Watson and Crick, they found two, distinct helical strands intertwined amongst one another. As suggested by one of the other answers, much like a spiral staircase. The sugar-phosphate backbone of each polymeric strand makes up the helical string onto which the "bases" or "nucleotides" are connected, facing in towards the center of the molecule. Nucleic acids tend to form helical structures when they are polymerized.

Answer 5

Double because it consists of 2 chains of polynucleotides that are bound to each other. Helix because the bonds that bind the nucleotides(molecular units of the chains) together are angled in such a way that they, collectively, give the chain, a helical shape.

Answer 6

Bc DNA consists of 2 right-handed polynucleotide chains that are coiled about the same axis.

The heterocyclic amine bases project inward toward the center so that the base of 1 strand interacts or pairs w/A base of the other strand.

HOPE IT HELPS!

Answer 7

Read Watson's book. It beats the heck out of anything on TV.

Answer 8

Because that's what it looks like under a microscope.