nmdcat.online
BIO NMDCAT Biological Importance of Water
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

Regarding the importance of water for macromolecular structure, the hydration shell surrounding a DNA double helix primarily stabilizes the structure by

A. Forming covalent cross-links between adjacent bases
B. Interacting with the negatively charged phosphate backbone and bases in the major and minor grooves
✓
C. Excluding all ions from the vicinity of the helix
D. Preventing the helix from unwinding for replication

📝 Explanation

Water molecules are integral to DNA structure. They form a "spine of hydration" in the minor groove and interact with the charged phosphate backbone, shielding negative charges and stabilizing the B-form of DNA. The hydrophobic effect also drives base stacking.

📖 Additional Information

  • Forming covalent cross-links between adjacent bases
  • Interacting with the negatively charged phosphate backbone and bases in the major and minor grooves
  • Excluding all ions from the vicinity of the helix
  • Preventing the helix from unwinding for replication

Water molecules are integral to DNA structure. They form a "spine of hydration" in the minor groove and interact with the charged phosphate backbone, shielding negative charges and stabilizing the B-form of DNA. The hydrophobic effect also drives base stacking.

🔗 Share This Question

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

🧭 Navigate Questions

Previous Question

The property of water that allows certain enzymes to use it as a "proton wire" or proton shuttle in active sites is its

Next Question

The primary reason that the symptom of "brain fog" is associated with severe dehydration is the

Back to All Questions

🔗 Related MCQs

Concerning the duration of muscle twitches, if a skeletal muscle twitch lasts approximately 10-100 milliseconds, what is the expected duration of a typical smooth muscle contraction?
July 28, 2026
The physiological response to hypoxia (low oxygen) differs among muscle types. Which muscle type is most susceptible to irreversible damage following a brief period of hypoxia?
July 28, 2026
A medical relevance of understanding muscle tissue differences is the development of calcium channel blockers. These drugs are primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina. They exert their biological effect mainly by acting on:
July 28, 2026
During the process of cell differentiation, which muscle type loses its ability to divide and form new cells almost completely, relying solely on hypertrophy for growth?
July 28, 2026
The functional relationship between the shape of a muscle cell and its tissue type is evident when observing spindle-shaped cells. This specific morphology allows the cells to:
July 28, 2026

Categories

View all →