Definition of GRAVAMEN: The burden or gist of a charge; the grievance or injury specially complained of.In English ecclesiastical law. A grievance complained of by the clergy befo The Law Dictionary Featuring Black's Law Dictionary Free Online Legal Dictionary 2nd Ed.
Phosphate and sugar make up the sides of a DNA ladder.
To answer your question, the sides, or the backbone of the DNA is made up of alternating phosphate and deoxyribose residues. On the carbon labeled #1 on the deoxyribose sugar, you have the base added to it. These bases form the rungs of the DNA molecule.