Base stacking

Base Stacking

Base stacking is a phenomenon observed in DNA and RNA molecules where nitrogenous bases are arranged in a specific manner to stabilize the overall structure.

Pronunciation

/bās/ /stakiNG/

Etymology

The term "base stacking" is derived from the English words "base", referring to the nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids, and "stacking", which describes the arrangement of these bases.

Description

In the structure of DNA and RNA, the nitrogenous bases are not isolated entities. They are arranged in a specific manner known as base stacking. This arrangement is characterized by the overlapping of adjacent bases in the nucleic acid chain. The bases are stacked upon each other in a manner similar to a stack of coins. This stacking is facilitated by hydrophobic interactions and Van der Waals forces, which help to stabilize the overall structure of the nucleic acid.

Base stacking is crucial for the stability of the double helix structure of DNA. It also plays a significant role in the three-dimensional structure of RNA molecules. The phenomenon of base stacking is also exploited in the design of nucleic acid nanotechnology.

Related Terms

• Hydrophobic interactions
• Van der Waals forces
• Double helix
• Nucleic acid nanotechnology

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Base stacking
• Wikipedia's article - Base stacking

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