The angle between two consective base pairs of a DNA molecule is

Options

A. `36^(@)`
B. `360^(@)`
C. `20^(@)`
D. `180^(@)`

Answer

To find the angle between two consecutive base pairs of a DNA molecule, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding DNA Structure**:
- DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a double-stranded molecule that carries genetic information. It consists of two strands that form a double helix.

2. **Base Pairing**:
- The bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). These bases pair specifically (A with T and G with C) through hydrogen bonds.

3. **Helical Structure**:
- The DNA helix makes a complete turn every 34 Å (angstroms) and has a diameter of about 20 Å.

4. **Distance Between Bases**:
- The distance between two adjacent bases in the helix is approximately 3.4 Å.

5. **Twist of the Helix**:
- For every complete turn of the helix (34 Å), there is a corresponding angular rotation. It is known that the angle of rotation between two consecutive base pairs is 36 degrees.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the angle between two consecutive base pairs in a DNA molecule is **36 degrees**.

### Final Answer:
The angle between two consecutive base pairs of a DNA molecule is **36 degrees**.

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