2007-02-06 02:16:52 · 4 answers · asked by medleygirl 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
DNA is a salt. Like all salts it is charged, in this case at the phosphate groups along the backbone. The phosphates interact with Hydrogen ions in aqueous solutions. As the solvent becomes less charged (by increasing alcohol concentration for example) DNA will precipitate from solution.
2007-02-06 02:55:39 · answer #1 · answered by Dastardly 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
DNA is highly hydrophilic. It contains nitrogenous bases, which are polar, attached to a sugar, which has all those hydroxyl groups which water loves so much, and hten it has a Phosphate, which is a major source of actual charge. Thus, DNA would easily dissolve in water.
2007-02-09 23:58:29 · answer #2 · answered by kz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When water molecules are included, the DNA double-helical structure is stabilised by the water molecules forming hydrogen bonds with the phosphate groups. Water interacts with nearly every part of the DNA’s double helix, including the base pairs. In contrast, water does not penetrate deeply into the structures of proteins, whose hydrophobic regions are tucked within.
2007-02-09 17:01:14 · answer #3 · answered by Juliette D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it is like fish
2007-02-06 10:22:50 · answer #4 · answered by polkol69 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋