Some applications in biology, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), require melting the DNA double helix into single strands of DNA. This can be accomplished by heating the DNA. As DNA is heated, why does the double helix structure denature into single strands of DNA but not into individual nucleotides? In other words, why do the single strands remain intact even though the double helix does not? Choose one:

A. The double helix is held together with phosphodiester bonds, while the single strands are linked by hydrogen bonds.

B. The single strands are wrapped around histones, which protects them from denaturing.

C. The double helix is held together with hydrogen bonds, while the single strands are linked by phosphodiester bonds.

D. The double helix structure is important for DNA replication, while the single strands carry the information.

Question

Tyree Chandler

Biology

4 June, 08:14

Some applications in biology, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), require melting the DNA double helix into single strands of DNA. This can be accomplished by heating the DNA. As DNA is heated, why does the double helix structure denature into single strands of DNA but not into individual nucleotides? In other words, why do the single strands remain intact even though the double helix does not? Choose one:

A. The double helix is held together with phosphodiester bonds, while the single strands are linked by hydrogen bonds.

B. The single strands are wrapped around histones, which protects them from denaturing.

C. The double helix is held together with hydrogen bonds, while the single strands are linked by phosphodiester bonds.

D. The double helix structure is important for DNA replication, while the single strands carry the information.

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Answers (1)

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Alena Valdez · Answer 1

C. The double helix is held together with hydrogen bonds, while the single strands are linked by phosphodiester bonds.

Explanation:

The double helix is formed by hydrogen bonding between the base pairs, while the single strands are linked by phosphodiester bonds.

Phosphodiester bonds are covalent bonds versus the hydrogen bonds which are noncovalent bonds. Covalent bonds are difficult to break because of electron sharing versus electrostatic attraction of hydrogen bonds.