Discuss the importance of hydrogen bonds in the chemistry of the cell

What will be an ideal response?


The chemistry of the cell would basically be impossible without hydrogen bonds. Water, which is required by all cellular reactions, would not have its unique properties of cohesiveness and polarity without hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds hold the double helix of DNA together and contribute to the overall shape of protein molecules. However, unlike covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds are low energy bonds, so they can easily and temporarily be broken, a characteristic that is important at certain points in the cell's life cycle (such as during DNA replication).
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Section: Chemical Bonds
Learning Outcome: 2.12

Biology & Microbiology

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