Term: deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA)
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01597

Definition:
High molecular weight, linear polymers, composed of nucleotides containing deoxyribose and linked by phosphodiester bonds; DNA contain the genetic information of organisms. The double-stranded form consists of a double helix of two complementary chains that run in opposite directions and are held together by hydrogen bonds between pairs of the complementary nucleotides and Hoogsteen (stacking) forces.

Related Terms:
1) molecular weight (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04000).
2) helix (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02769).
3) nucleotides (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04255).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 151 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA)' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01597

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