Biology Chapter 4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

A nucleotide

Describe the structure of a nucleotide.

A phosphate group, 2. 5 carbon sugar, 3. Nitrogenous base.

How does a nucleoside differ from a nucleotide?

A nucleoside is a nucleotide without the phosphate group.

What are purines and pyrimidines?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?

Deoxyribose is lacking oxygen; ribose has an OH group on the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has just an H. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the polymerization of nucleotides.

Nucleotides are bonded together by a phosphodiester bond formed through dehydration synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Name the two types of nucleic acids.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structure of nucleic acids?

The primary structure is the nucleotide sequence written in the 5' to 3' direction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structure of DNA?

The nucleotide sequence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the secondary structure of DNA?

Two antiparallel strands twisted into a double helix, stabilized by hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs A-T & G-C. Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of base pairing?

Only specific nitrogenous bases will bond together: Adenine with Thymine in DNA and Uracil in RNA; Guanine with Cytosine. Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps of DNA replication?

<ol> <li>Splitting of the double helix, 2. Free deoxyribonucleotides form hydrogen bonds with the complementary bases, 3. Complementary base pairing allows each strand to be copied forming two daughter strands.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded. Signup and view all the answers

What is the secondary structure of RNA?

It forms hydrogen bonds with complementary bases on the same strand, causing strands to fold over. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tertiary structure of RNA?

Occurs only when the secondary structure folds into complex shapes. Signup and view all the answers

Why does RNA have catalytic functions and DNA does not?

Because RNA is a single strand of nucleic acids, its functional groups are exposed and able to react. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 2' 3' and 5' carbon on a sugar?

2' determines the sugar type (ribose or deoxyribose); 3' and 5' are used in the polymerization of nucleic acids. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nucleic Acids Overview

The basic unit of nucleic acids is a nucleotide.
Nucleotides consist of a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Nucleosides vs Nucleotides

A nucleoside lacks the phosphate group found in nucleotides.

Purines vs Pyrimidines

Purines have a two-ring structure and include adenine and guanine.
Pyrimidines have a single-ring structure and include cytosine, uracil, and thymine.

Ribose and Deoxyribose

Ribose contains an oxygen atom at the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has only a hydrogen atom at this position.

Polymerization of Nucleotides

Nucleotides polymerize through dehydration synthesis, forming phosphodiester bonds between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon of another.

Types of Nucleic Acids

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is formed from ribonucleotides.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is formed from deoxyribonucleotides.

Primary Structure of Nucleic Acids

The primary structure is represented by the sequence of nucleotides in a strand, oriented from 5' to 3'.

Secondary Structure of DNA

DNA forms a double helix with two antiparallel strands stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs: A-T and G-C.

Law of Base Pairing

Specific base pairing rules dictate that adenine pairs with thymine in DNA (or uracil in RNA) and guanine pairs with cytosine.

DNA Replication Steps

Copies of DNA are made through several steps, including the unwinding of the double helix, base pairing of free deoxyribonucleotides with the template strand, and formation of new daughter strands.

DNA vs RNA

Both DNA and RNA serve as information-carrying molecules; RNA is single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded.

Secondary Structure of RNA

RNA can form secondary structures by folding back on itself and creating hydrogen bonds with complementary bases within the same strand.

Tertiary Structure of RNA

The tertiary structure results from further folding of the secondary structure into complex three-dimensional shapes.

Catalytic Functions of RNA

RNA possesses catalytic functions due to its reactive functional groups on the accessible single strand, unlike DNA where functional groups are protected between the strands.

Significance of Sugar Carbons

The 2' carbon distinguishes between ribose and deoxyribose.
The 3' and 5' carbons are essential for the polymerization process in nucleic acid formation.

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Description

Test your knowledge of nucleic acids with these flashcards! This quiz covers key terms such as nucleotides, their structures, and the differences between nucleosides and nucleotides. Perfect for mastering concepts from Biology Chapter 4.