Antiparallel

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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.

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