18.6 Electric Forces in Biology Classical electrostatics has an important role to play in modern molecular biology. Large molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and so on-so important to lifeare usually electrically charged. DNA itself is highly charged; it is the electrostatic force that not only holds the molecule together but gives the molecule structure and strength. Figure 18.28 is a schematic of the DNA double helix. This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9 Chapter 18 | Electric Charge and Electric Field 711 Figure 18.28 DNA is a highly charged molecule. The DNA double helix shows the two coiled strands each containing a row of nitrogenous bases, which "code" the genetic information needed by a living organism. The strands are connected by bonds between pairs of bases. While pairing combinations between certain bases are fixed (C-G and A-T), the sequence of nucleotides in the strand varies. (credit Jerome Walker)
18.6 Electric Forces in Biology Classical electrostatics has an important role to play in modern molecular biology. Large molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and so on-so important to lifeare usually electrically charged. DNA itself is highly charged; it is the electrostatic force that not only holds the molecule together but gives the molecule structure and strength. Figure 18.28 is a schematic of the DNA double helix. This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9 Chapter 18 | Electric Charge and Electric Field 711 Figure 18.28 DNA is a highly charged molecule. The DNA double helix shows the two coiled strands each containing a row of nitrogenous bases, which "code" the genetic information needed by a living organism. The strands are connected by bonds between pairs of bases. While pairing combinations between certain bases are fixed (C-G and A-T), the sequence of nucleotides in the strand varies. (credit Jerome Walker)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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Electric Forces in Biology
• Describe how a water molecule is polar.
• Explain electrostatic screening by a water molecule within a living cell.
Transcribed Image Text:18.6 Electric Forces in Biology
Classical electrostatics has an important role to play in modern molecular biology. Large molecules such as proteins, nucleic
acids, and so on-so important to lifeare usually electrically charged. DNA itself is highly charged; it is the electrostatic force
that not only holds the molecule together but gives the molecule structure and strength. Figure 18.28 is a schematic of the DNA
double helix.
This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
Chapter 18 | Electric Charge and Electric Field
711
Figure 18.28 DNA is a highly charged molecule. The DNA double helix shows the two coiled strands each containing a row of nitrogenous bases,
which "code" the genetic information needed by a living organism. The strands are connected by bonds between pairs of bases. While pairing
combinations between certain bases are fixed (C-G and A-T), the sequence of nucleotides in the strand varies. (credit Jerome Walker)
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