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Questions and Answers
Which nitrogenous base is unique to DNA?
What type of bond forms the sugar-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid strand?
What is released during the formation of a phosphodiester bond?
Which of the following is a purine found in DNA?
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During DNA polymerization, what is the role of deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTP)?
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What is released when the two unused phosphate groups from dNTP are removed?
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What is the configuration of the free groups at the ends of a newly formed DNA strand?
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Which component is primarily responsible for driving the process of nucleotide polymerization?
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Study Notes
Nitrogenous Bases in DNA
- DNA contains four nitrogenous bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
- Purines are two-ringed structures; they include adenine and guanine.
- Pyrimidines are single-ringed structures; they include cytosine and thymine.
- Thymine is exclusive to DNA and does not appear in RNA.
Nucleoside Triphosphate Structure
- Nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) are nucleotide units consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and three phosphate groups.
- NTPs are linked by 5'-3' phosphodiester bonds, forming covalent connections between nucleotides.
- Phosphodiester bonds create a sugar-phosphate backbone, integral for the structure of nucleic acid strands.
DNA Polymerization Process
- Deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) are the building blocks used during DNA synthesis.
- During polymerization, pyrophosphate is released when two terminal phosphates are removed from dNTPs.
- The resulting nucleic acid strand has a free phosphate group at its 5' end and a free hydroxyl group at its 3' end.
- The hydrolysis of pyrophosphate releases energy that drives the polymerization of nucleotides.
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Description
Explore the fundamental components of DNA, including nitrogenous bases and their structures. Understand the process of DNA polymerization, focusing on nucleoside triphosphates and the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone. Test your knowledge on these key concepts in molecular biology.
