Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Biology CLEP Test with comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with explanations and hints to ensure a full understanding. Boost your exam readiness today!

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type of bond holds together the two strands of a DNA molecule?

an der Waals
ydrogen
onic
ovalent

The correct answer is: ydrogen

The type of bond that holds together the two strands of a DNA molecule is hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen is not the only atom involved in the formation of these bonds, but it is the main component. The other options, an der Waals, ydrogen, onic, and ovalent bonding, are incorrect because they involve different types of interactions and do not specifically refer to the type of bond holding DNA strands together. An der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces between neutral molecules, ionic bonds are formed between a positively charged ion and a negatively charged ion, and covalent bonds involve a sharing of electrons between atoms. These types of bonding do not play a role in the structure of a DNA molecule. Hydrogen bonding specifically refers to the interaction between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen. Therefore, hydrogen bonding is the correct