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Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksSanders 3rd EditionCh. 7 - DNA Structure and ReplicationProblem 9a
Chapter 7, Problem 9a

Consider the sequence 3'-ACGCTACGTC-5'.
What is the double-stranded sequence?

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1
Identify the given sequence as the 3' to 5' strand: 3'-ACGCTACGTC-5'.
Recall the base-pairing rules in DNA: Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G).
Write the complementary strand by pairing each base with its complement, ensuring the complementary strand is written in the 5' to 3' direction.
Reverse the complementary sequence to ensure it is properly oriented as 5' to 3'.
Combine the original strand and the complementary strand to represent the double-stranded DNA sequence, with the original strand on top and the complementary strand below.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

DNA Structure

DNA is composed of two strands that form a double helix, with each strand consisting of nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base. The bases pair specifically: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Understanding this structure is essential for determining complementary sequences.
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DNA Structure

Complementary Base Pairing

Complementary base pairing is the principle that dictates how nucleotides pair in DNA. In a double-stranded DNA molecule, A pairs with T and C pairs with G. This pairing is crucial for accurately determining the complementary sequence of a given single-stranded DNA sequence, as it ensures the fidelity of genetic information.
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Directionality of DNA Strands

DNA strands have directionality, indicated by the 5' and 3' ends. The 5' end has a phosphate group, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group. When determining the complementary sequence, it is important to maintain the correct orientation, as the complementary strand will run in the opposite direction (antiparallel) to the original strand.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

The following figure (Figure 1.6) presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

What kind of bonds join the C in one strand to the G in the complementary strand?

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Textbook Question

The following figure (Figure 1.6) presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

How many phosphodiester bonds are present in this DNA duplex?

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Textbook Question

The following figure (Figure 1.6) presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

How many hydrogen bonds are present in this DNA duplex?

525
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Textbook Question

Consider the sequence 3'-ACGCTACGTC-5'.

What is the total number of covalent bonds joining the nucleotides in each strand?

942
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Textbook Question

Consider the sequence 3'-ACGCTACGTC-5'.

What is the total number of noncovalent bonds joining the nucleotides of the complementary strands?

594
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Textbook Question

DNA polymerase III is the main DNA-synthesizing enzyme in bacteria. Describe how it carries out its role of elongating a strand of DNA.

550
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