In the molecule, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the bases (i.e., adenine, guanine,

Question

In the molecule, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the bases (i.e., adenine, guanine,
cytosine, and thymine) are cyclic molecules that have sp2 hybridization and are thus
flat. Therefore, the major interaction that cause DNA to have the double helix
structure that it has is due to the interaction of the bases, not necessarily due to
hydrogen bonds. The ethidium ion (see below) is something that can interact with
DNA very strongly and cause mutations. How can ethidium ions cause the mutations
and what type of interactions exists between the DNA and the ethidium ions?

Explanation / Answer

Ethidium binds to DNA. Ethidium ion is also largely flat. Ethidium ion intercalates Intercalation is the reversible inclusion/insertion of a molecule (or group) between two other molecules (or groups) This insertion would cause DNA to become mutated, since it might replace nucleotides

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