Much of the stability of the double-stranded DNA structure is the result of
A)hydrogen bonding between purines.
B)the phosphodiester backbone.
C)the angle of the planes of the bases with respect to the helix axis.
D)the stacking interactions between base pair.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The stacking interactions between base pairs contribute significantly to the stability of the DNA double helix by minimizing the exposure of hydrophobic bases to water, thus reducing the overall energy of the system. The other options also contribute to stability, but the stacking interactions have a more significant role.

Much of the Stability of the Double-Stranded DNA Structure Is