Structure and

Function of DNA
L.O.: Will be able to analyse the
structure and function of DNA
 Keywords

• Deoxyribonucleic acid
• Double helix
• Nucleotides
• Deoxyribose sugar
• Nitrogenous base pairs (A,G,C,T)
• Phosphate
• Base sequence
Key Word: Complementary base pairing

Phosphate

Sugar

Hydrogen
bonds
G A A C A T C A G T C C G T A C G A A G

A T G G A G G C

C G A C A A G G A T A C
 Structure of DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid

• It consists of two strands of DNA held together by hydrogen bonds and wound
around each other in what is called a double helix.
• The individual units (monomer) of DNA are called nucleotides.
• All nucleotides contain the same phosphate and deoxyribose sugar but differ
from each other in the nitrogenous base attached.
• The phosphate and sugar section of the nucleotides form the ‘backbone’ of the
DNA strand (like the sides of a ladder) and the base pairs of each strand connect
to form the rungs of the ladder.
 • There are four different bases, Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) and Guanine (G).
• The bases on each strand pair up with each other, holding the two strands of DNA in the double helix
by hydrogen bonds.
• The bases always pair up in the same way:
• Adenine always pairs with Thymine (A-T)
• Cytosine always pairs with Guanine (C-G) 
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What is the function of DNA?

Function: It contains the instructions for growth and

development of all organisms.
 Test yourself

1. DNA stands for __________________

2. State the base pair rule.