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DNA: Structure, Function and Discovery

Nucleic acids are the organic materials present in all organisms in the form of DNA or
RNA. These nucleic acids are formed by the combination of nitrogenous bases, sugar
molecules and phosphate groups that are linked by different bonds in a series of
sequences. The DNA structure de>nes the basic genetic makeup of our body. In fact, it
de>nes the genetic makeup of nearly all life on earth.

Table of Contents

What is DNA?
Discovery
Diagram
DNA Structure
Chargaff’s Rule
DNA Replication
Function of DNA
Why DNA is called a Polynucleotide Molecule?

Read on to explore DNA meaning, structure, function, DNA discovery and diagram in
complete detail.

What is DNA?

“DNA  is a group of molecules that is responsible for carrying

and transmitting the hereditary materials or the genetic
instructions from parents to offsprings.”

This is also true for viruses, as most of these entities have either RNA or DNA as their
genetic material. For instance, some viruses may have RNA as their genetic material, while
others have DNA as the genetic material. The  Human Immunode>ciency Virus (HIV)
contains RNA, which is then converted into DNA after attaching itself to the host cell. CBSE Sample Papers
Apart from being responsible for the inheritance of genetic information in all living beings, CBSE Sample Papers Class 8
DNA also plays a crucial role in the production of proteins. Nuclear DNA is the DNA Science
contained within the nucleus of every cell in a eukaryotic organism. It codes for the
CBSE Sample Papers Class 9
majority of the organism’s genomes while the mitochondrial DNA and plastid DNA handles
Science
the rest.
CBSE Sample Papers Class 10
The DNA present in the mitochondria of the cell is termed mitochondrial DNA. It is
Science
inherited from the mother to the child. In humans, there are approximately 16,000 base
pairs of mitochondrial DNA. Similarly, plastids have their own DNA, and they play an CBSE Sample Papers Class 11
essential role in photosynthesis. Physics
Also Read: Difference between gene and DNA CBSE Sample Papers Class 11
Chemistry
Full-Form of DNA
CBSE Sample Papers Class 11
DNA is known as Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is an organic compound that has a unique Biology
molecular structure. It is found in all prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. 
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12
Physics
DNA Types
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12
There are three different DNA types:
Chemistry
A-DNA: It is a right-handed double helix similar to the B-DNA form. Dehydrated DNA
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12
takes an A form that protects the DNA during extreme conditions such as
Biology
desiccation. Protein binding also removes the solvent from DNA, and the DNA takes
an A form.
B-DNA: This is the most common DNA conformation and is a right-handed helix.
The majority of DNA has a B type conformation under normal physiological
conditions.
Z-DNA: Z-DNA is a left-handed DNA where the double helix winds to the left in a zig- CBSE Previous Year Question
zag pattern. It was discovered by Andres Wang and Alexander Rich. It is found Papers
ahead of the start site of a gene and hence, is believed to play some role in gene CBSE Previous Year Question Papers
regulation. Class 10 Science

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Who Discovered DNA? Class 12 Physics
DNA was >rst recognized and identi>ed by the Swiss biologist  Johannes Friedrich
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Miescher in 1869 during his research on white blood cells.
Class 12 Chemistry
The double helix structure of a DNA molecule was later discovered through the
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers
experimental data by James Watson and Francis Crick. Finally, it was proved that DNA is
Class 12 Biology
responsible for storing genetic information in living organisms.

Also Read: Difference between deoxyribose and ribose

DNA Diagram
The following diagram explains the DNA structure representing the different parts of the ICSE Sample Papers
DNA. DNA comprises a sugar-phosphate backbone and the nucleotide bases (guanine, ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Physics
cytosine, adenine and thymine).
ICSE Sample Papers Class 8
Chemistry

ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Biology

ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Physics

ICSE Sample Papers Class 9

Chemistry

ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Biology

ICSE Sample Papers Class 10

Physics

ICSE Sample Papers Class 10

Chemistry

ICSE Sample Papers Class 10

Biology

DNA Diagram representing the DNA Structure ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Physics

ISC Sample Papers Class 11

Read more: Properties of DNA Chemistry

ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Biology

DNA Structure
ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Physics
The DNA structure can be thought of as a twisted ladder. This structure is
ISC Sample Papers Class 12
described as a double-helix, as illustrated in the >gure above. It is a nucleic
Chemistry
acid, and all nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides. The DNA molecule is
composed of units called nucleotides, and each nucleotide is composed of three different ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Biology
components such as sugar, phosphate groups and nitrogen bases. 

The basic building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which are composed of a sugar group, a
phosphate group, and a nitrogen base. The sugar and phosphate groups link the
nucleotides together to form each strand of DNA. Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G)
 and Cytosine (C) are four types of nitrogen bases. ICSE Previous Year Question
Papers
These 4 Nitrogenous bases pair together in the following way: A  with  T, and C  with G.
These base pairs are essential for the DNA’s double helix structure, which resembles a ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
twisted ladder. Class 10 Physics

The order of the nitrogenous bases determines the genetic code or the DNA’s instructions. ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
Class 10 Chemistry

ICSE Previous Year Question Papers

Class 10 Maths

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Papers class 12
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Class 12 Physics
Components of DNA Structure
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Class 12 Chemistry
Among the three components of DNA structure, sugar is the one which forms the
backbone of the DNA molecule. It is also called deoxyribose. The nitrogenous bases of the ISC Previous Year Question Papers
opposite strands form hydrogen bonds, forming a ladder-like structure. Class 12 Biology

DNA Structure Backbone

The DNA molecule consists of 4 nitrogen bases, namely adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine
(C) and Guanine (G), which ultimately form the structure of a nucleotide. The A and G are
purines, and the C and T are pyrimidines.

The two strands of DNA run in opposite directions. These strands are held together by the Join BYJU'S Learning Program
hydrogen bond that is present between the two complementary bases. The strands are
Name
helically twisted, where each strand forms a right-handed coil, and ten nucleotides make
up a single turn.

The pitch of each helix is 3.4 nm. Hence, the distance between two consecutive base pairs Mobile Number
(i.e., hydrogen-bonded bases of the opposite strands) is 0.34 nm.

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The DNA coils up, forming chromosomes, and each chromosome has a single molecule of
DNA in it. Overall, human beings have around twenty-three pairs of chromosomes in the
nucleus of cells. DNA also plays an essential role in the process of cell division.

Also Read: DNA Packaging

Recommended Video:

2,358

Chargaff’s Rule
Erwin Chargaff, a biochemist, discovered that the number of nitrogenous bases in the
DNA was present in equal quantities. The amount of A is equal to T, whereas the amount of
C is equal to G.

A=T; C=G

In other words, the DNA of any cell from any organism should have a 1:1 ratio of purine and
pyrimidine bases.

DNA Replication
DNA replication is an important process that occurs during cell division. It is also known
as semi-conservative replication, during which DNA makes a copy of itself.

DNA replication takes place in three stages:

Step 1: Initiation
The replication of DNA begins at a point known as the origin of replication. The two DNA
strands are separated by the DNA helicase. This forms the replication fork.

Step 2: Elongation
DNA polymerase III reads the nucleotides on the template strand and makes a new strand
by adding complementary nucleotides one after the other. For eg., if it reads an Adenine on
the template strand, it will add a Thymine on the complementary strand.

While adding nucleotides to the lagging strand, gaps are formed between the strands.
These gaps are known as Okazaki fragments. These gaps or nicks are sealed by ligase.

Step 3: Termination
The termination sequence present opposite to the origin of replication terminates the
replication process. The TUS protein (terminus utilization substance) binds to terminator
sequence and halts DNA polymerase movement. It induces termination.

Also Read: DNA Replication

DNA Function
DNA is the genetic material which carries all the hereditary information. Genes are the
small segments of DNA, consisting mostly of 250 – 2 million base pairs. A gene code for a
polypeptide molecule, where three nitrogenous bases sequence stands for one amino acid.

Polypeptide chains are further folded in secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures to
form different proteins. As every organism contains many genes in its DNA, different types
of proteins can be formed. Proteins are the main functional and structural molecules in
most organisms. Apart from storing genetic information, DNA is involved in:

Replication process: Transferring the genetic information from one cell to its
daughters and from one generation to the next and equal distribution of DNA during
the cell division
Mutations: The changes which occur in the DNA sequences
Transcription
Cellular Metabolism
DNA Fingerprinting
Gene Therapy

Also Read: r-factor

Why DNA is called a Polynucleotide Molecule?

The DNA is called a polynucleotide because the DNA molecule is composed of nucleotides
– deoxyadenylate (A) deoxyguanylate (G) deoxycytidylate (C) and deoxythymidylate (T),
which are combined to create long chains called a polynucleotide. As per the DNA
structure, the DNA consists of two chains of polynucleotides.

Also Read: Genetic Material

For more detailed information on DNA meaning, diagram, its types, DNA structure and
function, or any other related topics, explore at BYJU’S Biology.

Explore more
Difference between Replication and Transcription
DNA Cloning
DNA Fingerprinting
DNA As Genetic Material
DNA Structure and Polynucleotide
How is DNA inherited from each parent?
Do you get more DNA from your mother or father?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of DNA?
DNA is a double helical structure composed of nucleotides. The two helices are joined
together by hydrogen bonds. The DNA also bears a sugar-phosphate backbone.

What are the three different types of DNA?

The three different types of DNA include:

A-DNA
B-DNA
Z-DNA

How is Z-DNA different from other forms of DNA?

Z-DNA is a left-handed double helix. The helix winds to the left in a zig-zag manner. On the
contrary, A and B-DNA are right-handed DNA.

What are the functions of DNA?

The functions of DNA include:

Replication
Gene expression
Mutation
Transcription
Translation

What type of DNA is found in humans?

B-DNA is found in humans. It is a right-handed double-helical structure.

Test your Knowledge on DNA Structure!

Put your understanding of this

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