Figure 1.6 presents simplified depictions of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, a nucleotide base, and a phosphate group. Use this simplified method of representation to illustrate the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' and its complementary partner in a DNA duplex.

What kind of bonds join the C in one strand to the G in the complementary strand?

Key Concepts

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of three components: a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information. In the context of the question, understanding the structure of nucleotides is essential for illustrating the DNA sequence and its complementary strand.

Complementary Base Pairing

Complementary base pairing refers to the specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA, where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This pairing is crucial for the stability of the DNA double helix and is fundamental to the question, as it determines how the sequence 3'-AGTCGAT-5' pairs with its complementary strand.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak interactions that occur between the nitrogenous bases of the two DNA strands, specifically between adenine and thymine (two hydrogen bonds) and between cytosine and guanine (three hydrogen bonds). In the context of the question, the bonds joining the C in one strand to the G in the complementary strand are hydrogen bonds, which play a critical role in maintaining the structure of the DNA duplex.