What makes DNA molecules so stable?

The main bonding in DNA which renders the double helix structure so stable is that of hydrogen bonds. Between the complementary base pairs, hydrogen bonds connect the two strands of the helix. There are 3 H bonds between Guanine and Cytosine and 2 between Adenine and Thymine. As well as this there are hydrogen bonds between the bases and surrounding water molecules, and this combined with the even stronger phosphodiester bonds in the sugar phosphate backbone make DNA very stable. 

SA
Answered by Steven A. Biology tutor

56106 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What’s the difference between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell?


How does an action potential travel between two neurones?


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


How is DNA transcribed into mRNA?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning