“Footnotes” to Expert Interviews:

During the Interviews, our Experts at times mention terms and subjects that we may not have
covered. The following are some explanations that might help understand comments made in
the Interview.

“Footnotes” to the Interview with Prof. Michael

Levitt: Water
Unit 1.5C video

Professor Levitt mentions the “Genetic Code” (1:58) and the importance of water with regard to
base-paring. In Lesson 2 the structure of DNA will be discussed in detail. DNA is a polymer
containing 4 nitrogen bases. In fact, DNA is a complex of two strands wound around each other
to form – the “Double Helix”. The nitrogen bases (Guanine – G; Adenine – A; Cytosine – C and
Thymine – T) can form hydrogen bonds between themselves. G always pairs with C, while A
pairs with T. The hydrogen bonding between base pairs is what holds the Double Helix together.
As we will learn, our genetic information - our genes, is stored in DNA. In order to enable the
DNA to instruct our cells how to produce proteins, the two strands of DNA need to separate
momentarily. Thus the ability to unravel the strands and expose specific segments of DNA in a
regulated manner is absolutely critical for DNA replication and gene expression. Water
molecules are able to hydrogen bond with the DNA bases and thus allow the strands to
separate. Think about how a suction cup sticks to a smooth surface; we expel the air and form a
vacuum between the surface and the suction cup. When we allow air seep in to fill the space
between the surface and suction cup, we break the vacuum, allowing us to separate the two. In
the same sense, water can intercede between base pairs and form hydrogen bonds with the
bases and thus allow DNA strands to separate. ... “If DNA was in vacuum, it would never come
apart!” (2:11)