Understanding DNA

This text explains in a step-by-step fashion why DNA forms specific structures, the nature of these structures and how they fundamentally effect the biological processes of transcription, recombination and replication.

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The functional properties of any molecule are directly related to and affected by its structure. This is no less true for DNA, the molecule that carries the code for our very being. Yet, so often DNA is thought of as just a string of bases. "Understanding DNA" explains in a step by step fashion why DNA forms specific structures, the nature of these structures and how they fundamentally effect the biological processes of transcription, recombination and replication. Containing over 100 illustrations, some in full colour, "Understanding DNA" describes the basic units of DNA and how these form the double helix; characterizes the various types of DNA double helix that exist; explains how and why DNA twists and curves; discusses the mechanisms of DNA supercoiling; summarizes the assembly of DNA and protein into chromosomes; outlines the principles of the methods employed to study DNA structure; contains simple exercises, further reading and a bibliography at the end of each chapter.