Biological Significance of Nucleic Acids
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Questions and Answers

What sugar is contained in RNA?

  • Fructose
  • Ribose (correct)
  • Deoxyribose
  • Glucose
  • Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA instead of DNA?

  • Thymine
  • Cytosine
  • Uracil (correct)
  • Adenine
  • What is one of the primary functions of nucleic acids?

  • Regulation of hormones
  • Cellular respiration
  • Storage and transmission of genetic information (correct)
  • Energy storage
  • Which of the following correctly describes a property of nucleic acids?

    <p>Precipitated by acetic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary role of messenger RNA (mRNA) in translation?

    <p>Carrying instructions from the nucleus to ribosomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes DNA from RNA at the base pairing level?

    <p>DNA contains thymine; RNA contains uracil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes RNA from DNA regarding stability?

    <p>RNA is less stable than DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step for naming nucleotides as ordinary compounds?

    <p>Name the nucleoside used</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the chemical composition of nucleic acids primarily made up of?

    <p>C, H, O, N, and P</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the structure of DNA differ from that of RNA?

    <p>DNA contains deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA contains ribonucleic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is ribosomal RNA (rRNA) primarily involved in cellular processes?

    <p>Forming part of the ribosome subunits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct conversion from 'cytidine' to its corresponding acid form?

    <p>Cytidilic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately reflects the solubility properties of nucleic acids?

    <p>They are slightly soluble in cold water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding RNA and DNA?

    <p>RNA has thymine as a base and DNA has uracil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the helical structure of nucleic acids?

    <p>Both have a helical structure with sugar-phosphates on the outside</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who first recognized and identified DNA?

    <p>Johannes Friedrich Miescher</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sugar is present in the structure of DNA?

    <p>Deoxyribose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common characteristic of A-DNA and B-DNA forms?

    <p>They are right-handed double helices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which base pair is not correctly matched?

    <p>Cytosine - Thymine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Z-DNA from A-DNA and B-DNA forms?

    <p>Z-DNA has a zig-zag structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the correct name for the nucleoside cytidine when converted to an acid form?

    <p>Cytidilic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of ATP provides it with high energy bonds?

    <p>Phosphate groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nucleoside is paired with its correct acid form?

    <p>Guanyosine - Guanylic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents a common nucleotide in RNA?

    <p>Cytidine monophosphate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What component is NOT part of a nucleotide?

    <p>Amino acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sugar is found in RNA nucleotides?

    <p>Ribose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is ATP primarily involved in within a cell?

    <p>Temporary energy storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To convert a nucleotide into its corresponding acid form, which suffix should be used?

    <p>-ylic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process connects nucleotides to form a polymer?

    <p>Dehydration synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following nitrogenous bases is ONLY found in DNA?

    <p>Thymine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a common nucleotide found in DNA?

    <p>Uridine monophosphate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What links the sugar of one nucleotide to the phosphate group of another nucleotide?

    <p>Covalent bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sugar component is found in ATP?

    <p>Ribose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of nucleic acids?

    <p>Protein synthesis and genetic information storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are nucleotides named when attached to a phosphate group?

    <p>Adding 'monophosphate' to the nucleoside</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents a nucleotide structure?

    <p>Nitrogenous base, sugar, and one phosphate group</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about nitrogenous bases is true?

    <p>Adenine pairs with Uracil in RNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is formed when nucleotides are linked together?

    <p>Sugar-Phosphate backbone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the nitrogenous base in nucleotides?

    <p>To determine genetic information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following combinations of nucleotides correctly represents the basic components?

    <p>A 5' Carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biological Significance of Nucleic Acids

    • Essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information.
    • Crucial for synthesizing proteins that characterize individual cells.

    Properties of Nucleic Acids

    • Insoluble in alcohol.
    • Slightly soluble in cold water; easily dissolves in hot water and dilute alkalis, forming alkali salts.
    • Can be precipitated by hydrochloric acid (HCl) and excess acetic acid (CH₃COOH).

    Types of Nucleic Acids

    • Comprised of carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P).
    • Two primary types:
      • RNA (ribonucleic acid)
      • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

    DNA vs RNA

    • Both DNA and RNA are built from nucleobases.
    • DNA contains thymine while RNA contains uracil.
    • DNA consists of deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA consists of ribonucleic acid.
    • The presence of a hydroxyl group at the 2' position of ribose differentiates RNA from DNA.
    • Both nucleic acids have a helical structure with sugar-phosphate backbones on the outside.

    RNA Characteristics

    • RNA is typically single-stranded and less stable than DNA.
    • Functions mainly to regulate protein synthesis.
    • Contains the sugar ribose and nitrogenous base uracil instead of thymine.

    Nucleotide Composition

    • Composed of three parts: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
    • Common nucleotides in RNA include cytidine monophosphate (cytidylic acid) and uridine monophosphate (uridylic acid).

    Roles of RNA in Translation

    • mRNA (messenger RNA): Carries instructions for polypeptide synthesis from nucleus to ribosomes.
    • tRNA (transfer RNA): Brings amino acids to the ribosome and matches them with the corresponding mRNA code.
    • rRNA (ribosomal RNA): Integral part of ribosome structure.

    Naming of Nucleotides

    • As compounds: Name the nucleoside and attach "monophosphate" (e.g., cytidine 5' monophosphate).
    • As acids: Change ending of nucleoside from -ine to -ylic and add "acid" (e.g., cytidilic acid).

    Common Nucleotides

    • RNA: Cytidine monophosphate (cytidylic acid), uridine monophosphate (uridylic acid), adenosine monophosphate (adenylic acid), guanosine monophosphate (guanylic acid).
    • DNA: Deoxycytidine monophosphate (deoxycytidylic acid), deoxyuridine monophosphate (deoxyuridylic acid), deoxyadenosine monophosphate (deoxyadenylic acid), deoxyguanosine monophosphate (deoxyguanylic acid).

    ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

    • Composed of adenine (nitrogenous base), ribose (sugar), and three phosphate groups.
    • Functions as a primary energy source for cells, acting as a temporary energy battery.

    DNA Structure

    • Recognized by Johannes Friedrich Miescher in 1869.
    • Comprises two strands forming a right-handed double helix, held together by hydrogen bonds.
    • Base pairing occurs between guanine-cytosine and adenine-thymine.
    • Sugar in DNA is deoxyribose.

    DNA Forms

    • A-DNA: Right-handed double helix.
    • B-DNA: Most common conformation, also right-handed.
    • Z-DNA: Left-handed double helix with a zig-zag pattern.

    Chromosomes and Genes

    • Human genome contains 46 chromosomes (23 from each parent).
    • Chromosomes consist of DNA coiled around proteins, termed nucleosomes.
    • Genes serve as individual instructions for cell function, with introns being removed from pre-mRNA during processing to form usable mRNA.

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    Description

    Explore the vital roles of nucleic acids in genetics and protein synthesis. Learn about the properties, differences, and functions of DNA and RNA, along with their chemical compositions. This quiz will test your understanding of these essential biomolecules.

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