In the terms of biochemistry, those biopolymers which are aligned parallel but run in the directions opposite to each other are termed as antiparallel. The molecules of nucleic acids either RNA or DNA have one 5’ end and one 3’ end. The 5’ end refers to the phosphoryl end whereas 3’ end to the hydroxyl end. This is very significant when the movement of the enzymes relative to the strand of DNA or RNA has to be defined.
The significance of antiparallel strands is because of the H-bonds that are present between the base pairs that hold the structure together and impart its stability. If the strands of DNA are parallel to each other, then the hydrogen bonding would not be possible and information could not be read from it and consequently, incorrect proteins would be formed.
Example of Antiparallel:
The two strands of DNA that are complementary to each other and run in opposite directions are antiparallel.
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