The "antiparallel relationship" of the two strands of DNA refers to
A) the twisted configuration of the strands.
B) the alternative branching pattern of the strands.
C) the alignment of the strands, such that one strand starts with a 3' carbon and the other starts with a 5' carbon.
D) the view at one end of the molecule-one strand has an A wherever the other has a T, and one has a G wherever the other has a C.
E) which strand begins with a purine and which strand begins with a pyrimidine.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The antiparallel relationship of the two strands of DNA refers to the alignment of the strands, such that one strand starts with a 3F1F1F1S1F1F1F10 carbon and the other starts with a 5F1F1F1S1F1F1F10 carbon. This is because the two strands run in opposite directions, with one strand being oriented in the 5' to 3' direction, and the other in the 3' to 5' direction. The sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA runs from the 5' end to the 3' end, with the phosphate group on the 5' carbon of the sugar, and the hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon. Therefore, in the two strands of DNA, the 5' end of one strand is complementary to the 3' end of the other strand.

The "Antiparallel Relationship" of the Two Strands of DNA Refers