What do double helix mean

Origin of double helix First recorded in ; term introduced by J. Watson and F. Words nearby double helix double glazing , double Gloucester , double harness , doubleheader , double-helical gear , double helix , double hitch , double-hung , double in brass , double indemnity , double integral. Music-Study in Germany Amy Fay. The coiled structure of a double-stranded DNA molecule in which strands linked by hydrogen bonds form a spiral configuration.

DNA helix Watson-Crick helix. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. The three-dimensional structure of double-stranded DNA, in which polymeric nucleotide strands whose complementary nitrogen bases are linked by hydrogen bonds form a helical configuration. The two DNA strands are oriented in opposite directions. The chemical backbones of the double helix are made up of sugar and phosphate molecules that are connected by chemical bonds, known as sugar-phosphate backbones. The two helical strands are connected through interactions between pairs of nucleotides, also called base pairs.

Two types of base pairing occur: nucleotide A pairs with T, and nucleotide C pairs with G. Further Exploration Concept Links for further exploration helicase phosphate backbone nucleic acid DNA phosphate backbone replication. Related Concepts 6.

This really is an amazing structure. You can't stare at the double helix for very long without having a sense of awe about the elegance of this information molecule DNA, with its double helical form basically being the way in which all living forms are connected to each other, because they all use this same structure for conveying that information. Of course, this is Watson and Crick's incredible realization back in , but it will stand in history as probably one of the most significant scientific moments of all time.

Francis S.