1. Deoxyribose sugar: A five-carbon sugar that forms the backbone of the DNA molecule.
2. Phosphate group: A negatively charged molecule attached to the deoxyribose sugar. The phosphate groups link the nucleotides together to form the DNA chain.
3. Nitrogenous base: One of four nitrogen-containing molecules attached to the deoxyribose sugar. These bases are:
* Adenine (A)
* Guanine (G)
* Cytosine (C)
* Thymine (T)
How the components come together:
* The deoxyribose sugar and phosphate group combine to form the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA molecule.
* The nitrogenous base is attached to the deoxyribose sugar, extending out from the backbone.
* The order of the nitrogenous bases along the DNA molecule is what determines the genetic code.
Base pairing:
DNA exists as a double helix, with two strands running in opposite directions and held together by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases. The bases pair specifically:
* Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T)
* Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C)
This complementary base pairing ensures that the two strands of DNA are identical in sequence, allowing for accurate replication and transcription of genetic information.
