DNA and RNA Structure Flashcards

RNA vs DNA Bases

• Uracil is a unique base that is present only in RNA, replacing thymine found in DNA.
• Both DNA and RNA consist of nucleotides, but they differ in sugar components: DNA contains deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose.

Complementary Sequences

• In DNA, the complementary strand base pairing dictates that adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.
• For example, a DNA sequence of ACCGAGCTT would yield a complementary RNA sequence of UGGCUCGAA.

Structure of DNA

• DNA is a nucleic acid polymer composed of repeating structural units called nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Chargaff's Rules

• Chargaff discovered that the ratios of thymine to adenine and guanine to cytosine in DNA are approximately equal across different organisms, leading to the formulation of Chargaff's rules.

Nucleotides of RNA

• A nucleotide in RNA comprises ribose, a phosphate group, and uracil as the nitrogenous base.

DNA Helix Complementarity

• A given single strand of DNA, such as CGCTAA, will pair with a complementary sequence on the opposite strand, which would be GCGATT.

Phoebus Levene's Contribution

• Phoebus Levene is recognized for identifying the sugars ribose and deoxyribose in nucleic acids, which was fundamental in understanding nucleic acid structure.

Structural Differences Between RNA and DNA

• RNA typically exists as a single strand, distinguishing it structurally from DNA, which usually forms a double helix.

Test your knowledge on the structure of DNA and RNA with these flashcards. Each card presents a question regarding key concepts, such as base pairs and nucleotides. Perfect for students seeking to reinforce their understanding of molecular biology.