Answer:
Explanation:Yes, the DNA strands are antiparallel because of the way that the nucleotides are paired and linked together in a DNA molecule.
DNA is made up of two complementary strands of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide is composed of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sugar and phosphate groups are linked together to form the backbone of the DNA strand, while the nitrogenous bases pair up in the center of the molecule.
The nitrogenous bases in DNA include adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G. These base pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds.
The antiparallel nature of DNA arises from the orientation of the sugar molecules in each strand. The sugar molecules in DNA are arranged in a specific way, with a phosphate group linked to the 5' carbon of one sugar and the 3' carbon of the next sugar. The orientation of the sugar molecules is said to be 5' to 3' in one strand and 3' to 5' in the other strand.
This orientation creates a polarity in the DNA molecule, with one end having a free 5' phosphate group and the other end having a free 3' hydroxyl group. This polarity allows for the specific pairing of the two DNA strands in a complementary fashion, with the A-T and C-G base pairs forming in the center of the molecule.
Therefore, the two strands run in opposite directions and are referred to as antiparallel. This arrangement is critical for the stability and functioning of DNA, as it allows for accurate replication and transcription of genetic information.