Question #28233

1 Answer
Ahmed(Medical Genetics Academy)
Sep 15, 2016

The two DNA strands are complementary and parallel, but they go in opposite directions.

Explanation:

The antiparallel structure of DNA is important in DNA replication because it replicates the leading strand one way and the lagging strand the other way.

enter image source here

The antiparallel strands allow for the formation of hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases of DNA.
If the strands were not antiparallel these nonsymetrical hydrogen bonding interactions would not be possible. It is important that CG interactions have three H- bonds, and AT have two H-bonds.

enter image source here

Related questions
Impact of this question
1025 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License