If a double-stranded DNA molecule is like a twisted rope ladder with handrails and steps, what would the steps in the ladder represent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The steps in the ladder represent nitrogenous bases, specifically adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, which pair together through hydrogen bonding to form the rungs of the DNA ladder. The phosphate groups and sugar (deoxyribose) molecules make up the backbones or handrails of the ladder. DNA polymerase is an enzyme involved in DNA replication, but is not directly related to the structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule.

If a Double-Stranded DNA Molecule Is Like a Twisted Rope