Describe how DNA is well-adapted to being a molecule for conserved information storage

DNA is a long, large molecule, which allows a lot of information to be stored within in. It has a sugar-phosphate backbone, which protects it from physical and chemical damage as the phospho-diester linkages are very strong. It contains many hydrogen bonds between the two strands of the molecule, and due to there being many bonds the molecule is very stable as breaking so many of them requires a lot of energy, but the hydrogen bonds also allow the strands to be "unzipped" to allow reading of the information. The double strands also allow semi-conservative replication, which means the information can be copied with minimal chance of corruption. Being made up of bases, the information is stored using a universal code, meaning it can be easily read.

JE
Answered by Juliet E. Biology tutor

5145 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Use your knowledge of the movement of water to explain why honey has antibacterial properties


How is mRNA produced in the nucleus of a cell


When an antigen binds to a receptor on a T cell, the T cell becomes activated and differentiates into different types of T cells. What are these T cells and what are their functions? (6 marks)


a) Name a hormone secreted by the ovaries (1 mark). b) A female takes a contraceptive pill that increases the body's levels of progesterone. Explain what effects this has on the female's body and what effects that it has on her other hormones (3 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning