Final answer:
In DNA, the nitrogenous bases bind to the backbone by forming complementary base pairs and hydrogen bonds. They attach to the 1' carbon of the deoxyribose sugar, while the phosphate groups form the backbone of the DNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
In DNA, the nitrogenous bases bind to the backbone by forming hydrogen bonds between bases on the two nucleotide chains. Each base pairs with a complementary base, forming base pairs. Adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G). These complementary base pairs are held together by hydrogen bonding.
The nitrogenous bases attach to the 1' carbon of the deoxyribose sugar, which is part of the nucleotide. The phosphate group of one nucleotide binds covalently with the sugar molecule of the next nucleotide, forming a long polymer of nucleotides. The sugar-phosphate groups make up the backbone of the DNA, while the nitrogenous bases stick out from this backbone.