DNA has a primary structure consisting of nucleotides arranged in a linear fashion through phosphodiester bonds. Its secondary structure forms a double helix through hydrogen bonds between two polynucleotide strands. DNA achieves its tertiary structure through coiling and folding assisted by histone proteins to form nucleosomes resembling beads on a string.
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Describe the primary, secondary, and tertiary structure of DNASo.pdf
1. Describe the primary, secondary, and tertiary structure of DNA
Solution
Answer:
1. Primary structure: DNA is made of nucleotides. Nucleotides are arranged in linear fashion by
the phosphodiester bonds. Linear structure of DNA is called primary structure.
2. Secondary structure: Helical tructure is called secondary structure. In this structure, two linear
polynucleotides are held together by hydrogen bonds and formrs double helical structure. The
DNA appears in different helices, hence the DNA is called as A-DNA, B-DNA and Z-DNA.
3. Tertiary structure: It is specific three dimensional shape of DNA that is formed by repeating
folding of DNA. This foldings are formed by the histone proteins. Several beads like structures
are formed in the tertiary structure called nucleosomes. Hence, the tertiary structure of DNA
appears like beads on string.