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Chapter 24: Problem 94

Can a DNA strand bind to a complementary RNA strand? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, a DNA strand can bind to a complementary RNA strand through a process called hybridization, forming a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. This interaction occurs due to base-pairing rules in nucleic acids and is energetically favorable as a result of hydrogen bonding between the complementary bases.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding DNA and RNA Structures

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are both nucleic acids, which are polymers made of nucleotide monomers. The main difference between DNA and RNA is the sugar component in their nucleotide monomers: DNA has a deoxyribose sugar, while RNA has a ribose sugar. Furthermore, DNA usually forms a double helix structure while RNA is usually single-stranded. In terms of bases, DNA has adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), while RNA has adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).
02

Base Pairing

The bases in DNA and RNA can form hydrogen bonds with each other. In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) through Watson-Crick base-pairing rules. In RNA, instead of thymine (T), there is uracil (U), so adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C). These base-pairing rules are crucial for the interaction between DNA and RNA, as they allow for complementary pairing.
03

DNA-RNA Hybridization

When a single-stranded DNA is exposed to a complementary RNA, the bases on each strand can form hydrogen bonds with each other, creating a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. This process is called hybridization and occurs because the interaction between complementary bases on different strands is energetically favorable. The DNA-RNA hybrid duplex typically forms an A-form helix structure, different from the B-form helix present in the DNA double helix.
04

Conclusion

Yes, a DNA strand can bind to a complementary RNA strand through the process of hybridization, forming a DNA-RNA hybrid duplex. This interaction is governed by the base-pairing rules in nucleic acids and is energetically favorable due to hydrogen bonding between the complementary bases.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using condensed structural formulas, write a balanced chemical equation for each of the following reactions: (a) hydrogenation of cyclohexene, \((\mathbf{b})\) addition of \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) to trans-2-pentene using \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) as a catalyst (two products), (c) reaction of 2 -chloropropane with benzene in the presence of \(\mathrm{AlCl}_{3}\)

(a) What is the empirical formula of cellulose? (b) What is the monomer that forms the basis of the cellulose polymer? (c) What bond connects the monomer units in cellulose: amide, acid, ether, ester, or alcohol?

The heat of combustion of decahydronaphthalene $\left(\mathrm{C}_{10} \mathrm{H}_{18}\right)\( is \)-6286 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}$. The heat of combustion of naphthalene \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{10} \mathrm{H}_{8}\right)\) is \(-5157 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\). (In both cases \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\) are the products.) Using these data and data in Appendix \(\mathrm{C}\), calculate the heat of hydrogenation and the resonance energy of naphthalene.

If a molecule is an "ene-ol," what functional groups must it have? The suffix -ene signifies an alkene, \(-\) ol an alcohol. The molecule has alkene and alcohol functional groups.

Draw the condensed structures of the compounds formed from (a) butanoic acid and methanol, (b) benzoic acid and 2 -propanol, \((\mathbf{c})\) propanoic acid and dimethylamine. Name the compound in each case.
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