Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the full name of DNA?
What is the full name of DNA?
What are the thread-like structures containing DNA and proteins within the cell?
What are the thread-like structures containing DNA and proteins within the cell?
What is the shape of the DNA molecule?
What is the shape of the DNA molecule?
What are the specific sequences of nucleotides that encode instructions for the synthesis of proteins?
What are the specific sequences of nucleotides that encode instructions for the synthesis of proteins?
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Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in DNA?
Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in DNA?
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What is the function of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
What is the function of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
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What is the type of sugar found in DNA?
What is the type of sugar found in DNA?
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What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
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What is the structure of pyrimidines?
What is the structure of pyrimidines?
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Which nitrogenous bases are purines?
Which nitrogenous bases are purines?
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What is the function of ribose in RNA?
What is the function of ribose in RNA?
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What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
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What is the process of forming a nucleotide?
What is the process of forming a nucleotide?
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What is the structure of purines?
What is the structure of purines?
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Which nitrogenous bases are pyrimidines?
Which nitrogenous bases are pyrimidines?
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What is the function of deoxyribose in DNA?
What is the function of deoxyribose in DNA?
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What is the result of adding a phosphate group to a nucleoside?
What is the result of adding a phosphate group to a nucleoside?
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What is the purpose of the hydroxyl group in ribose?
What is the purpose of the hydroxyl group in ribose?
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What is the primary reason for the difference in stability between RNA and DNA?
What is the primary reason for the difference in stability between RNA and DNA?
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What is the key component that distinguishes a nucleoside from a nucleotide?
What is the key component that distinguishes a nucleoside from a nucleotide?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of pyrimidines?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of pyrimidines?
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What is the purpose of the hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases in the DNA double helix?
What is the purpose of the hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases in the DNA double helix?
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Which of the following nitrogenous bases is found only in RNA?
Which of the following nitrogenous bases is found only in RNA?
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What is the consequence of the absence of a hydroxyl group in deoxyribose?
What is the consequence of the absence of a hydroxyl group in deoxyribose?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of purines?
Which of the following is a characteristic of purines?
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What is the result of adding a phosphate group to a nucleoside?
What is the result of adding a phosphate group to a nucleoside?
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What is the primary function of ribose in RNA?
What is the primary function of ribose in RNA?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of both RNA and DNA?
Which of the following is a characteristic of both RNA and DNA?
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What is the primary function of genes in the DNA molecule?
What is the primary function of genes in the DNA molecule?
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What is the term for the bond that forms between the phosphate group and the pentose sugar in a nucleotide?
What is the term for the bond that forms between the phosphate group and the pentose sugar in a nucleotide?
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What is the significance of the nitrogenous base in a nucleotide?
What is the significance of the nitrogenous base in a nucleotide?
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What is the term for the process of forming a nucleotide by linking the phosphate group, pentose sugar, and nitrogenous base together?
What is the term for the process of forming a nucleotide by linking the phosphate group, pentose sugar, and nitrogenous base together?
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What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
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What is the term for the five-carbon sugar found in RNA?
What is the term for the five-carbon sugar found in RNA?
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What is the primary component of chromosomes?
What is the primary component of chromosomes?
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What is the term for the long chains of nucleic acids formed by linking nucleotides together?
What is the term for the long chains of nucleic acids formed by linking nucleotides together?
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What is the primary component of a nucleoside?
What is the primary component of a nucleoside?
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Which of the following is an example of a ribonucleoside?
Which of the following is an example of a ribonucleoside?
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What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of deoxyribonucleosides?
Which of the following is a characteristic of deoxyribonucleosides?
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What is the purpose of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
What is the purpose of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
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Which of the following is an example of a deoxyribonucleotide?
Which of the following is an example of a deoxyribonucleotide?
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What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleotides?
Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleotides?
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What is the key difference between deoxyribose and ribose?
What is the key difference between deoxyribose and ribose?
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What is the purpose of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) in cellular metabolism?
What is the purpose of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) in cellular metabolism?
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What is the result of phosphorylating deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)?
What is the result of phosphorylating deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)?
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What is the directionality of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
What is the directionality of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
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What is the primary component of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
What is the primary component of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
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What is the function of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
What is the function of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
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What is the result of the addition of another phosphate group to a deoxynucleoside diphosphate (dNDP)?
What is the result of the addition of another phosphate group to a deoxynucleoside diphosphate (dNDP)?
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What is the characteristic of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) that distinguishes them from deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
What is the characteristic of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) that distinguishes them from deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
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What is the result of the linkage between the 3' hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group of the next?
What is the result of the linkage between the 3' hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group of the next?
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What is the primary function of ATP in cellular metabolism?
What is the primary function of ATP in cellular metabolism?
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What is the primary function of the phosphodiester bond in DNA?
What is the primary function of the phosphodiester bond in DNA?
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What is the significance of the 5' to 3' direction in DNA?
What is the significance of the 5' to 3' direction in DNA?
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What is the main difference between the sugar molecules in DNA and RNA?
What is the main difference between the sugar molecules in DNA and RNA?
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What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
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What is the basis for the complementarity of DNA strands?
What is the basis for the complementarity of DNA strands?
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What is the significance of the major and minor grooves in DNA?
What is the significance of the major and minor grooves in DNA?
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What is the result of the proportionality of adenine and thymine residues in DNA?
What is the result of the proportionality of adenine and thymine residues in DNA?
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What is the characteristic of the double helix model of DNA?
What is the characteristic of the double helix model of DNA?
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What is the significance of the arrangement of sugars and bases along the axis in the double helix model?
What is the significance of the arrangement of sugars and bases along the axis in the double helix model?
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What is the consequence of the antiparallel nature of the two chains in the double helix model?
What is the consequence of the antiparallel nature of the two chains in the double helix model?
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What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
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Which of the following is an example of a ribonucleoside?
Which of the following is an example of a ribonucleoside?
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What is the primary component of a nucleoside?
What is the primary component of a nucleoside?
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Which of the following is an example of a deoxyribonucleotide?
Which of the following is an example of a deoxyribonucleotide?
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What is the type of sugar found in RNA?
What is the type of sugar found in RNA?
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What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleotides?
Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleotides?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of deoxyribonucleosides?
Which of the following is a characteristic of deoxyribonucleosides?
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What is the direction of the polynucleotide chain?
What is the direction of the polynucleotide chain?
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What is the bond that links the 3' carbon of one nucleotide's sugar to the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide?
What is the bond that links the 3' carbon of one nucleotide's sugar to the 5' phosphate of the next nucleotide?
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What is the composition of the backbone of DNA?
What is the composition of the backbone of DNA?
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What is the base pairing rule in DNA?
What is the base pairing rule in DNA?
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What is the ratio of adenine to thymine residues in DNA?
What is the ratio of adenine to thymine residues in DNA?
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What is the orientation of the two chains in the DNA double helix?
What is the orientation of the two chains in the DNA double helix?
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What is the distance between the bases in the DNA double helix?
What is the distance between the bases in the DNA double helix?
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What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
What is the result of the base pairing in DNA?
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What is the primary function of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
What is the primary function of the phosphate group in a nucleotide?
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What is the composition of a nucleotide?
What is the composition of a nucleotide?
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What is the primary function of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
What is the primary function of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
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What is the difference between deoxyribose and ribose?
What is the difference between deoxyribose and ribose?
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What is the result of phosphorylating deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)?
What is the result of phosphorylating deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)?
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What is the purpose of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) in cellular metabolism?
What is the purpose of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) in cellular metabolism?
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What is the directionality of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
What is the directionality of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
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What is the primary component of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
What is the primary component of deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs)?
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What is the function of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
What is the function of the phosphodiester bond in a polynucleotide chain?
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What is the primary function of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
What is the primary function of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
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What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
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What is the result of the linkage between two nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain?
What is the result of the linkage between two nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain?
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What determines the order of the bases in one strand of DNA?
What determines the order of the bases in one strand of DNA?
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What is the function of a gene in DNA?
What is the function of a gene in DNA?
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What is the purpose of codons in DNA?
What is the purpose of codons in DNA?
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What gives us a unique phenotype?
What gives us a unique phenotype?
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What is the relationship between the sequence of bases in a gene and the protein it codes for?
What is the relationship between the sequence of bases in a gene and the protein it codes for?
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What is the role of codons in DNA?
What is the role of codons in DNA?
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What determines the order of the bases in the other strand of DNA?
What determines the order of the bases in the other strand of DNA?
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What is the result of the unique sequence of bases in a gene?
What is the result of the unique sequence of bases in a gene?
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What is the relationship between genes and proteins?
What is the relationship between genes and proteins?
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What is the role of genes in determining an organism's traits?
What is the role of genes in determining an organism's traits?
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Study Notes
DNA Structure
- DNA's full name is Deoxyribonucleic acid.
- The cell is the basic structural unit of living organisms.
- Chromosomes within the cell contain DNA and proteins.
DNA Helix
- DNA has a double helix structure, composed of two strands forming a spiral.
- The twisted ladder-like shape is composed of nucleotide bases.
Genes and Nucleotides
- Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides that encode instructions for protein synthesis.
- Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
- A molecule of DNA is made up of millions of tiny nucleotides.
Nucleotide Bases
- The DNA helix is composed of four nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).
- Base pairing occurs in a specific manner: A with T and C with G.
Nucleotide Components
- A phosphate group is attached to the pentose sugar and forms the backbone of the nucleic acid structure.
- Pentose sugar can be either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA).
- Nitrogenous bases can be one of several types, including adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T) in DNA, or uracil (U) in RNA.
Nitrogenous Bases
- There are two types of nitrogenous bases: Pyrimidines and Purines.
- Pyrimidines have a six-membered single-ring structure and include cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).
- Purines have a nine-membered double-ring structure and include adenine (A) and guanine (G).
Pentose Sugars
- Ribose is found in RNA and has a hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 2' carbon.
- Deoxyribose is found in DNA and lacks the hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 2' carbon, instead having a hydrogen atom (H).
RNA and DNA
- RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) contains ribose and is involved in protein synthesis and various cellular processes.
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains deoxyribose and carries genetic information crucial for inheritance and cellular function.
Nucleotide Formation
- A nucleoside is formed when a nitrogenous base is attached to a pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose).
- A nucleotide is formed when a phosphate group is added to a nucleoside.
- The process can be summarized as: Base + Sugar → Nucleoside, and Nucleoside + Phosphate → Nucleotide.
DNA Structure
- DNA's full name is Deoxyribonucleic acid.
- The cell is the basic structural unit of living organisms.
- Chromosomes within the cell contain DNA and proteins.
DNA Helix
- DNA has a double helix structure, composed of two strands forming a spiral.
- The twisted ladder-like shape is composed of nucleotide bases.
Genes and Nucleotides
- Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides that encode instructions for protein synthesis.
- Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
- A molecule of DNA is made up of millions of tiny nucleotides.
Nucleotide Bases
- The DNA helix is composed of four nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).
- Base pairing occurs in a specific manner: A with T and C with G.
Nucleotide Components
- A phosphate group is attached to the pentose sugar and forms the backbone of the nucleic acid structure.
- Pentose sugar can be either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA).
- Nitrogenous bases can be one of several types, including adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T) in DNA, or uracil (U) in RNA.
Nitrogenous Bases
- There are two types of nitrogenous bases: Pyrimidines and Purines.
- Pyrimidines have a six-membered single-ring structure and include cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).
- Purines have a nine-membered double-ring structure and include adenine (A) and guanine (G).
Pentose Sugars
- Ribose is found in RNA and has a hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 2' carbon.
- Deoxyribose is found in DNA and lacks the hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 2' carbon, instead having a hydrogen atom (H).
RNA and DNA
- RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) contains ribose and is involved in protein synthesis and various cellular processes.
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains deoxyribose and carries genetic information crucial for inheritance and cellular function.
Nucleotide Formation
- A nucleoside is formed when a nitrogenous base is attached to a pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose).
- A nucleotide is formed when a phosphate group is added to a nucleoside.
- The process can be summarized as: Base + Sugar → Nucleoside, and Nucleoside + Phosphate → Nucleotide.
Nucleotides and Nucleosides
- Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.
- Nucleosides consist of a nitrogenous base attached to a pentose sugar.
- Examples of nucleosides:
- Uridine (uracil + ribose)
- Deoxyadenosine (adenine + deoxyribose)
- Examples of nucleotides:
- Deoxyadenylic acid (adenine + deoxyribose + phosphate group)
- Adenylic acid (adenine + ribose + phosphate group)
Classification of Nucleotides and Nucleosides
- Ribonucleosides (RNA components):
- Adenosine (adenine + ribose)
- Cytidine (cytosine + ribose)
- Guanosine (guanine + ribose)
- Uridine (uracil + ribose)
- Ribonucleotides (RNA components):
- Adenylic acid (AMP)
- Cytidylic acid (CMP)
- Guanylic acid (GMP)
- Uridylic acid (UMP)
- Deoxyribonucleosides (DNA components):
- Deoxyadenosine (adenine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxycytidine (cytosine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxyguanosine (guanine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxythymidine (thymine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxyribonucleotides (DNA components):
- Deoxyadenylic acid (dAMP)
- Deoxycytidylic acid (dCMP)
- Deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP)
- Deoxythymidylic acid (dTMP)
Key Components and Structures of Nucleotides
- Deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs):
- Example: Deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)
- Components: Thymine (pyrimidine), deoxyribose, and two phosphate groups
- Structure: Two phosphate groups attached to the 5' carbon of the deoxyribose sugar
- Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs):
- Example: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
- Components: Adenine (purine), ribose, and three phosphate groups
- Structure: Three phosphate groups attached to the 5' carbon of the ribose sugar
Functions of Nucleotides
- Deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs):
- Intermediate forms in the synthesis of DNA
- Can be converted into deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) by the addition of another phosphate group
- Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs):
- Play critical roles in cellular metabolism
- Example: ATP is the primary energy carrier in cells
Phosphodiester Bonds and Polynucleotide Chains
- Phosphodiester bonds:
- Formed between the 3' hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group of the next nucleotide
- Create a linkage from the 3' end of one nucleotide to the 5' end of the next, giving the DNA or RNA strand directionality (5' to 3')
- Polynucleotide chain:
- A sequence of nucleotides connected by phosphodiester bonds
- Forms the structure of DNA or RNA
- Directionality: 5' to 3' orientation
Nitrogenous Bases and DNA Structure
- Nitrogenous bases:
- Four types: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G)
- Pair up to form the rungs of the DNA ladder, adhering to specific pairing rules (A pairs with T, and C pairs with G)
- DNA structure:
- Backbone: made up of the phosphate and sugar molecules
- Rungs: made up of nitrogenous bases
- Base composition studies:
- The amount of adenine residues is proportional to the amount of thymine residues in DNA
- The amount of guanine residues is proportional to the amount of cytosine residues
- The sum of the purines (A + G) equals the sum of the pyrimidines (C + T)
The Watson-Crick Model
- Two long polynucleotide chains are coiled around a central axis, forming a right-handed double helix
- The two chains are antiparallel; that is, their (C-5') to (C-3') orientations run in opposite directions
- The bases of both chains are flat structures, lying perpendicular to the axis; they are “stacked” on one another, 3.4 Å (0.34 nm) apart, and located on the inside of the structure
- The nitrogenous bases of opposite chains are paired as the result of hydrogen bonds; in DNA, only A-T and C-G pairs occur
- Each complete turn of the helix is 34 Å (3.4 nm) long; thus, 10 bases exist per turn in each chain
- The double helix measures 20 Å (2.0 nm) in diameter
Nucleotides and Nucleosides
- Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.
- Nucleosides consist of a nitrogenous base attached to a pentose sugar.
- Examples of nucleosides:
- Uridine (uracil + ribose)
- Deoxyadenosine (adenine + deoxyribose)
- Examples of nucleotides:
- Deoxyadenylic acid (adenine + deoxyribose + phosphate group)
- Adenylic acid (adenine + ribose + phosphate group)
Classification of Nucleotides and Nucleosides
- Ribonucleosides (RNA components):
- Adenosine (adenine + ribose)
- Cytidine (cytosine + ribose)
- Guanosine (guanine + ribose)
- Uridine (uracil + ribose)
- Ribonucleotides (RNA components):
- Adenylic acid (AMP)
- Cytidylic acid (CMP)
- Guanylic acid (GMP)
- Uridylic acid (UMP)
- Deoxyribonucleosides (DNA components):
- Deoxyadenosine (adenine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxycytidine (cytosine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxyguanosine (guanine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxythymidine (thymine + deoxyribose)
- Deoxyribonucleotides (DNA components):
- Deoxyadenylic acid (dAMP)
- Deoxycytidylic acid (dCMP)
- Deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP)
- Deoxythymidylic acid (dTMP)
Key Components and Structures of Nucleotides
- Deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs):
- Example: Deoxythymidine diphosphate (dTDP)
- Components: Thymine (pyrimidine), deoxyribose, and two phosphate groups
- Structure: Two phosphate groups attached to the 5' carbon of the deoxyribose sugar
- Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs):
- Example: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
- Components: Adenine (purine), ribose, and three phosphate groups
- Structure: Three phosphate groups attached to the 5' carbon of the ribose sugar
Functions of Nucleotides
- Deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs):
- Intermediate forms in the synthesis of DNA
- Can be converted into deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) by the addition of another phosphate group
- Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs):
- Play critical roles in cellular metabolism
- Example: ATP is the primary energy carrier in cells
Phosphodiester Bonds and Polynucleotide Chains
- Phosphodiester bonds:
- Formed between the 3' hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the 5' phosphate group of the next nucleotide
- Create a linkage from the 3' end of one nucleotide to the 5' end of the next, giving the DNA or RNA strand directionality (5' to 3')
- Polynucleotide chain:
- A sequence of nucleotides connected by phosphodiester bonds
- Forms the structure of DNA or RNA
- Directionality: 5' to 3' orientation
Nitrogenous Bases and DNA Structure
- Nitrogenous bases:
- Four types: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G)
- Pair up to form the rungs of the DNA ladder, adhering to specific pairing rules (A pairs with T, and C pairs with G)
- DNA structure:
- Backbone: made up of the phosphate and sugar molecules
- Rungs: made up of nitrogenous bases
- Base composition studies:
- The amount of adenine residues is proportional to the amount of thymine residues in DNA
- The amount of guanine residues is proportional to the amount of cytosine residues
- The sum of the purines (A + G) equals the sum of the pyrimidines (C + T)
The Watson-Crick Model
- Two long polynucleotide chains are coiled around a central axis, forming a right-handed double helix
- The two chains are antiparallel; that is, their (C-5') to (C-3') orientations run in opposite directions
- The bases of both chains are flat structures, lying perpendicular to the axis; they are “stacked” on one another, 3.4 Å (0.34 nm) apart, and located on the inside of the structure
- The nitrogenous bases of opposite chains are paired as the result of hydrogen bonds; in DNA, only A-T and C-G pairs occur
- Each complete turn of the helix is 34 Å (3.4 nm) long; thus, 10 bases exist per turn in each chain
- The double helix measures 20 Å (2.0 nm) in diameter
DNA Structure
- Complementary base pairing ensures that the order of bases in one strand determines the order of bases in the other strand.
- The sequence of bases in DNA is crucial for cracking the genetic code.
Codons
- Bases are arranged in triplets called codons.
- Example of codons: A G G - C T C - A A G - T C C - T A G, T C C - G A G - T T C - A G G - A T C.
Genes and Proteins
- A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a protein.
- Each unique gene has a unique sequence of bases.
- The unique sequence of bases in a gene codes for the production of a unique protein.
- The combination of proteins produced by genes determines an individual's unique phenotype.
DNA Structure
- Complementary base pairing ensures that the order of bases in one strand determines the order of bases in the other strand.
- The sequence of bases in DNA is crucial for cracking the genetic code.
Codons
- Bases are arranged in triplets called codons.
- Example of codons: A G G - C T C - A A G - T C C - T A G, T C C - G A G - T T C - A G G - A T C.
Genes and Proteins
- A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a protein.
- Each unique gene has a unique sequence of bases.
- The unique sequence of bases in a gene codes for the production of a unique protein.
- The combination of proteins produced by genes determines an individual's unique phenotype.
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Learn about the basic components of a cell, including chromosomes, DNA, and genes. Understand the structure and function of DNA helix.