Structure of DNA Proper name: deoxyribonucleic acid Discovered by: Watson & Crick (1950s) Building blocks: nucleotides What is a nucleotide? A nucleotide consists of: Sugar (deoxyribose) Phosphate group Nitrogenous base Types of Nucleotides Purines: double ring bases Adenine Guanine Pyrimidines: single ring bases Cytosine Thymine More about DNA Nucleotides are held together by hydrogen bonds between the base pairs Q: What the heck is a base pair? A: Nucleotide bases that bond with each other Adenine & Thymine (make a lovely pair) Cytosine & Guanine Phosphate “backbone” Sketch me!!!!!!!!!! 