DNA's building blocks

DNA is made of the four nitrogen bases. They are attached like beads on a string.

DNA is nothing more than a double string of sugar and phosphate that is held together with the four bases.

It is tightly coiled
into a curly Helix.

This unique structure gives DNA the ability to duplicate itself. The process works just like a zipper.

Here's a neat analogy. Watch how this works when we shake hands.

Nor is it possible to shake your own hands.

Try it!

DNA's building blocks

DNA is made of the four nitrogen bases. They are attached like beads on a string.

DNA is nothing more than a double string of sugar and phosphate that is held together with the four bases.

It is tightly coiled
into a curly Helix.

These four bases are attached in the most amazing way.

They can only go together in one way
and no other.

Adenine

Thymine

Cytosine

Guanine

This unique structure gives DNA the ability to duplicate itself. The process works just like a zipper.

Here's a neat analogy. Watch how this works when we shake hands.

Joe
(wearing grey)

Mary
(wearing violet)

Nor is it possible to shake your own hands.

Try it!

Mary

Joe

DNA's building blocks

DNA is made of the four nitrogen bases. They are attached like beads on a string.

DNA is nothing more than a double string of sugar and phosphate that is held together with the four bases.

It is tightly coiled into a curly Helix.

These four bases are attached in the most amazing way.

They can only go together in one way and no other.

Adenine

Thymine

Cytosine

Guanine

This unique structure gives DNA the ability to duplicate itself. The process works just like a zipper.

Here's a neat analogy. Watch how this works when we shake hands.

Joe (wearing grey)

Mary (wearing violet)

Nor is it possible to shake your own hands.

Try it!

Mary

Joe

It is tightly coiled
into a curly Helix.

They can only go together in one way
and no other.

Joe
(wearing grey)

Mary
(wearing violet)