Princess Janine B.

Catral BSChE IV Introduction to Biotechnology

Assignment, January 15, 2016

A. Stabilization Factors for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Aside from hydrogen bonding, the following contribute to the stability of DNA . Stabilization factors can be
positive or negative.

Positive factors:

1. Base stacking

Since there is rotational flexibility in some of the bonds of the DNA chain, the individual
bases form strong stacking interactions. This is seen more in double strands. Free electrons from
the DNA molecule can interact further stabilizing the DNA structure.

2. Hydrophobic interaction

In a DNA strand, the four bases are hydrophobic in nature while the chain of sugars is
hydrophilic. Because of this, the bases tend to face each other with the sugars serving as a
backbone protecting it from the water molecules.

Negative factor:

1. The negative charge of phosphate groups

Since phosphate groups are negatively charged, they will tend to repel with each other
once they come into near contact. However, the double helical structure of the DNA prevents
this from happening.
B. The Central Dogma

The central dogma of molecular biology deals with the detailed residue-by-residue transfer
of sequential information. It states that such information cannot be transferred back from protein
to either protein or nucleic acid.

- Francis H.C. Crick

DNA Transcription RNA Translation Protein

There are 3 general transfers which describe the normal flow of information in organisms:

1. Replication- DNA can be copied to DNA

2. Transcription- DNA can be copied into mRNA (messenger RNA)

3. Translation- Proteins are formed using the information in mRNA as a template