Why are hydrogen bonds holding DNA bases together instead of covalent - ProProfs Discuss
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Why are hydrogen bonds holding DNA bases together instead of covalent bonds?

Why are hydrogen bonds holding DNA bases together instead of covalent bonds?<br/>

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Asked by Atateye, Last updated: Nov 09, 2024

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3 Answers

L. Cooper

L. Cooper

Analyst by profession but writer by heart.

L. Cooper
L. Cooper, Data Analyst, MCA, Newcastle

Answered Nov 01, 2019

A hydrogen bond is formed by intermolecular forces between hydrogen atoms and other atoms such as oxygen and carbon. A hydrogen bond is not as strong as covalent or ionic bond. It plays a great role in holding DNA, proteins, and many other molecules together. A covalent bond is a chemical bond that occurs when atoms share pairs of electrons. It is much stronger than Hydrogen bonds. A hydrogen bond plays a crucial role in DNA. It is responsible for the stability of the double helix structure of DNA.

The two strands of DNA are held together by Hydrogen bonds. Between complementary nucleotide bases, hydrogen bonds are present to keep them together. Between adenosine and thymine, there are two hydrogen bonds, and between cytosine and quinine, there are three hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds are important in DNA synthesis. It is easier to break hydrogen bonds than covalent bonds. This makes it easy to unwind DNA.

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A. Daniels

A. Daniels

A. Daniels
A. Daniels, Professor, San Diego

Answered Nov 11, 2018

A hydrogen bond is when a hydrogen atom is attracted to other atoms like oxygen and fluorine. This is because of their electronegativity. Water is an example of this hydrogen bond between hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen bonding is associated with DNA and proteins. In regards to DNA, hydrogen becomes a part of the shape and that determines the role of the person’s physiological or biochemical make-up.

A covalent bond is when two electrons are shared between two atoms. This is called shared pairs. There are different types of covalent bonds and these are the single, double and triple bonds. If there are hydrogen bonds that are holding DNA bases together instead of covalent bonds, this is because of hydrogen bonds being easier to break.

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atateye10

atateye

atateye10
Atateye

Answered Sep 10, 2018

Hydrogen bonds are easier to break allowing for DNA copying of a template
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