Question

Describe in detail the tertiary structure of DNA?

Answer 1

The nucleic acid structure is divided into four structure:-

1. Primary structure

2. Secondary Structure

3. Tertiary structure

4. Quaternery structure

The tertiary structure of DNA is three dimensional in shape which is made up of nucleic acid polymer. The order of tertiary structure is high then secondary structure. In this structure there is folding of large scale takes place in the linear polymer and the whole chain is folded in specific three dimensional shape.

The four areas in which the structural forms of DNA can differ are:-

a) Handedness

b) Length of helix turn

c) Number of base pairs per turn

d) Size different between the major and minor grooves

The arrangement of this DNA structure is double helix in the spaces which consist of different DNA known as B DNA, A-DNA, Z-DNA.

B-DNA- It is the most common form of the DNA which is more elongated helix than A-DNA.

A-DNA- It the DNA duplex which observed under dehydrating condition.

Z-DNA- It is the DNA which is rare left handed and also double helix. It gives the proper sequence and the superhelical tension.