What makes DNA molecules so stable?

The main bonding in DNA which renders the double helix structure so stable is that of hydrogen bonds. Between the complementary base pairs, hydrogen bonds connect the two strands of the helix. There are 3 H bonds between Guanine and Cytosine and 2 between Adenine and Thymine. As well as this there are hydrogen bonds between the bases and surrounding water molecules, and this combined with the even stronger phosphodiester bonds in the sugar phosphate backbone make DNA very stable. 

Answered by Steven A. Biology tutor

50317 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain how a change in the primary structure may result in a non functional enzyme


What is an atheroma and how do they form?


Why can enzymes only catalyse one specific reaction?


What are enzymes and how do they work?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences