Questions and Answers
What is a nucleic acid and what are its components?
A macromolecule composed of nucleotide monomers used by cells to store or transmit hereditary information, including ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid. Components are (1) a phosphate group, (2) a five-carbon sugar, and (3) a nitrogenous base.
Phosphate group and nitrogenous base are bonded to the sugar molecule.
True
Ribonucleotides are monomers of RNA, have ribose as their sugar, and have an -OH group bonded to the 1' carbon.
False
Describe deoxyribonucleotides.
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Ribose and deoxyribose have an -OH group bonded to the 3' carbon.
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Describe the two groups of nitrogenous bases.
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Nucleic acids polymerize via?
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Phosphodiester linkage occurs between a ____________ on 5′ carbon of one nucleotide and ____________ on the 3′ carbon of another.
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Phosphodiester linkages form a ____________.
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Which of the following statements about James Watson and Francis Crick's findings is correct? (Select all that apply)
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Describe the structure of DNA.
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What is the significance of Watson and Crick's model?
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What are the three steps of DNA replication?
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Explain how DNA's double helix is highly structured.
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Describe the primary structure of RNA.
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RNA's secondary structure results from complementary base pairing: A with ___; G with __.
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Bases of RNA typically form hydrogen bonds with complementary bases on the?
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RNA strand folds over, forming a ____________.
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Two sugar-phosphate strands are ____________.
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Describe RNA's versatility.
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A certain DNA molecule is determined to have a guanine content of 40%. What percentage of uracil will be in the RNA synthesized from this DNA?
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What determines the primary structure of RNA?
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Provide the complementary strand for: 3' ATTTGGCC 5'.
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Study Notes
Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids are macromolecules made from nucleotide monomers, crucial for storing and transmitting hereditary information.
- Key types include ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
- Nucleotides consist of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Sugar Molecules
- Both phosphate groups and nitrogenous bases are bonded to the sugar molecule.
- Ribose in RNA includes an -OH group bonded to the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose, lacking oxygen, includes a sugar that differs at the 2' carbon.
Nitrogenous Bases
- Nitrogenous bases are categorized into purines (adenine, guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, uracil, thymine).
- RNA contains uracil instead of thymine, found in DNA.
Polymerization and Linkages
- Nucleic acids polymerize through phosphodiester linkages that connect the 5' phosphate group of one nucleotide to the 3' hydroxyl group of another.
- This linkage creates a sugar-phosphate backbone, which has directional properties.
Structure of DNA
- DNA has a primary structure of linked deoxyribonucleotides, a secondary structure of an antiparallel double helix formed by hydrogen bonds, and a tertiary structure with supercoiling.
- DNA is stable and effectively encodes genetic information through base sequences.
Watson and Crick Model
- Watson and Crick identified that DNA is composed of two antiparallel strands forming a double helix with specific base pairing (A-T and C-G).
- Their discovery explained the ratios of purines to pyrimidines, noted by Chargaff.
DNA Replication
- DNA replication involves the separation of strands, base pairing with free nucleotides, and the formation of complementary strands.
- The process ensures the production of two identical daughter molecules.
RNA Structure and Function
- RNA has a primary structure of linked ribonucleotides, featuring ribose sugar and nitrogenous bases A, U, G, and C.
- RNA can fold into complex shapes, allowing it to perform diverse functions, such as messenger RNA (mRNA) in protein synthesis.
Secondary and Tertiary Structures of RNA
- RNA's secondary structure arises from base pairing (A-U, C-G) within the same strand, leading to hairpin loops and additional stabilizations.
- RNA strands are also antiparallel, facilitating intricate folding patterns.
RNA Versatility
- RNA is versatile, capable of various functions beyond genetic coding, including acting as a messenger, catalyst, and structural component within cells.
Complementary Base Pairing
- For a DNA sequence with a guanine content of 40%, the corresponding RNA will contain 10% uracil, following base pairing rules.
- The primary structure of RNA is determined by the sequence of ribonucleotides.
Complementary Strands
- Given the DNA sequence 3' ATTTGGCC 5', the complementary strand would be 5' TAAACCGG 3'.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of nucleic acids with these flashcards based on Chapter 4 of your biology textbook. This quiz covers the definition, components, and functions of nucleic acids, primarily focusing on DNA and RNA. Perfect for exam preparation or review.