Antiparallel
Antiparallel (an-ti-pa-ral-lel, from the Greek anti, meaning "opposite", and parallel, meaning "side by side") is a term used in various scientific fields, but in the context of biology and biochemistry, it refers to the orientation of adjacent molecules that run in opposite directions.
Definition
In the field of molecular biology, the term "antiparallel" is used to describe the opposite orientation of the two strands of a DNA molecule. Each DNA strand has a 5' end and a 3' end, named for the carbon atoms in the deoxyribose sugar backbone. In an antiparallel orientation, the 5' end of one strand aligns with the 3' end of the other strand.
Usage in Biology
The antiparallel structure of DNA is crucial for the process of DNA replication and transcription. The enzymes that facilitate these processes recognize the specific orientation of the DNA strands and bind to them accordingly. This ensures that the genetic information is accurately copied and transcribed.
Related Terms
- Parallel (biology): Refers to molecules that are oriented in the same direction.
- DNA replication: The process by which a DNA molecule is copied.
- Transcription (genetics): The process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antiparallel
- Wikipedia's article - Antiparallel
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