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Questions and Answers
Which type of nucleic acid contains deoxyribose?
Which type of nucleic acid contains deoxyribose?
In DNA, which nitrogenous base pairs with thymine?
In DNA, which nitrogenous base pairs with thymine?
What type of bond joins adjacent nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain?
What type of bond joins adjacent nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain?
Which type of nucleic acid includes uracil as a nitrogenous base?
Which type of nucleic acid includes uracil as a nitrogenous base?
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What is the specific name for the covalent bond that forms between nucleotides during polymerization?
What is the specific name for the covalent bond that forms between nucleotides during polymerization?
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Which family of nitrogenous bases has a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring?
Which family of nitrogenous bases has a 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring?
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Which functional group is present in all amino acids?
Which functional group is present in all amino acids?
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For a polypeptide chain, where is the carboxyl end located?
For a polypeptide chain, where is the carboxyl end located?
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What determines the specific properties of each of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins?
What determines the specific properties of each of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins?
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What type of bond links amino acid monomers in a dehydration reaction to form a polypeptide?
What type of bond links amino acid monomers in a dehydration reaction to form a polypeptide?
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What is the primary structure of a protein determined by?
What is the primary structure of a protein determined by?
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How are additional amino acids added to a growing polypeptide chain?
How are additional amino acids added to a growing polypeptide chain?
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How many hydrogen bonds are formed between adenine and thymine/uracil in complementary base pairing?
How many hydrogen bonds are formed between adenine and thymine/uracil in complementary base pairing?
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Which type of nucleic acid is usually single-stranded, but can sometimes be double-stranded?
Which type of nucleic acid is usually single-stranded, but can sometimes be double-stranded?
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What is the function of tRNA in the context of nucleic acids?
What is the function of tRNA in the context of nucleic acids?
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What is the primary function of nucleotides?
What is the primary function of nucleotides?
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Which of the following vitamins is water-soluble?
Which of the following vitamins is water-soluble?
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What is the measure of unbound water present in food known as?
What is the measure of unbound water present in food known as?
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What type of bond is formed between nucleotides during polymerisation?
What type of bond is formed between nucleotides during polymerisation?
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Which of the following is NOT a nucleoside triphosphate?
Which of the following is NOT a nucleoside triphosphate?
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What macromolecule is responsible for directing the synthesis of proteins in a cell?
What macromolecule is responsible for directing the synthesis of proteins in a cell?
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Which nucleic acid works through an intermediary molecule to direct protein synthesis?
Which nucleic acid works through an intermediary molecule to direct protein synthesis?
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What is the discrete unit of inheritance that programs the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide?
What is the discrete unit of inheritance that programs the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide?
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Which molecule is transcribed from DNA in a cell's nucleus?
Which molecule is transcribed from DNA in a cell's nucleus?
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Which type of nucleic acid is usually a single polynucleotide strand?
Which type of nucleic acid is usually a single polynucleotide strand?
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What type of polynucleotide structure does DNA have?
What type of polynucleotide structure does DNA have?
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Which of the following bases pairs with Guanine in DNA?
Which of the following bases pairs with Guanine in DNA?
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What direction do the two backbones of DNA run in, relative to each other?
What direction do the two backbones of DNA run in, relative to each other?
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What is the primary function of DNA in cells?
What is the primary function of DNA in cells?
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What process does RNA mainly facilitate in cells?
What process does RNA mainly facilitate in cells?
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Study Notes
Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
- Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of three parts: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base group.
- There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
- DNA is a double-stranded nucleic acid that carries inheritance information, provides directions for its own replication, and programs a cell's activities by directing protein synthesis.
- RNA is usually single-stranded, but sometimes double-stranded, and plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, carrying information from DNA for protein production.
Polymerization of Nucleotides
- Nucleotides are linked together through condensation or dehydration reactions, forming a polynucleotide chain.
- The sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids is formed through phosphodiester linkages, with protruding nitrogenous bases.
Components of Nucleic Acids
- Nitrogenous bases are categorized into two families: pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) and purines (adenine and guanine).
- Adenine pairs with thymine (in DNA) or uracil (in RNA), while guanine pairs with cytosine, forming complementary base pairs.
Structure of Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids have a helical structure, with DNA being double-stranded and RNA being usually single-stranded.
- The double-stranded structure of DNA is formed through hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs.
Functions of Nucleic Acids
- DNA carries inheritance information, while RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, carrying information from DNA for protein production.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA) are different types of RNA, each with specific functions.
Nucleotides and Energy
- Nucleotides are not only the building blocks of nucleic acids but also serve as energy molecules (e.g., ATP, GTP) and coenzyme molecules (e.g., NAD+, FAD).
Vitamins
- Vitamins are organic compounds present in trace amounts, essential for normal physiological function, and deficiencies cause specific syndromes.
- Vitamins are classified into two categories: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (B, C, and folic acid).
Water
- Water is characterized by two important parameters: water content (moisture content) and water activity (aw), which measures the amount of unbound water present in food.
- Water activity increases as temperature increases.
DNA vs RNA
- DNA is a double helix with two polynucleotide strands wrapped around each other, while RNA is usually a single polynucleotide strand.
- The base sequence along a DNA/mRNA polymer is unique for each gene, and DNA stores hereditary information, transmitting it from one generation to another.
Amino Acids and Proteins
- Amino acids have a specific structure, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R group).
- There are 20 amino acids used to make proteins, classified into essential and conditional amino acids.
- Polypeptides are chains of amino acids linked together through peptide bonds, and their unique linear sequence determines their specific properties.
Proteins
- A protein's functional shape results from four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.
- Primary structure is the unique linear sequence of amino acids, determined by inherited genetic information.
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Description
Test your knowledge on how nucleotides pair up in DNA and RNA, and how nucleic acids form double-stranded structures. This quiz covers topics such as adenine pairing with thymine or uracil, guanine pairing with cytosine, and the role of hydrogen bonds in complementary base pairing.
