why the deoxyribose sugar-phosphste of DNA is hydrophilic
1 answer
The deoxyribose sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA is hydrophilic due to the presence of negatively charged phosphate groups. These phosphate groups have a strong affinity for water molecules due to their polarity. When DNA is in an aqueous environment, the water molecules surround and interact with the phosphate groups, forming hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. This hydration shell around the DNA molecule helps to stabilize it and allows it to interact with other hydrophilic molecules or ions in the cellular environment.