Eukaryotic Chromosome Structure

DNA Structure

Components of DNA

Watson and Crick Model of DNA structure

  1. 2 chains
  2. purine opposite a pyrimidine
  3. chains held together by H-bonds
  4. anti-parallel orientation of the two chains
  5. the molecule is stabilized by:

Types of DNA

B is the major form that is found in the cell. But can type Z exist even though the cell doesn't have a high salt environment? Probably.

Other features of the DNA molecule are present in vivo that can stabilize a Z-DNA structure under low salt or cellular conditions.

		       G C                       A T
		poly d           or       poly d           
		       C G                       T A