Nucleic Acids and DNA Structure
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Questions and Answers

What is a nucleic acid?

  • A type of protein
  • A source of energy
  • A monosaccharide
  • A macromolecule essential for life (correct)
  • What does DNA stand for?

    Deoxyribonucleic acid

    What structure does DNA have?

    Double helix

    What is a nucleotide?

    <p>One unit in a DNA strand containing a nitrogenous base, a monosaccharide sugar, and a phosphate group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the sugar component of DNA?

    <p>Deoxyribose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are nitrogenous bases?

    <p>Molecules that form the 'rungs' of the DNA ladder.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the backbone of DNA composed of?

    <p>Alternating sugars (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of bonds hold the nitrogen bases together?

    <p>Hydrogen bonds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do covalent bonds do in the DNA structure?

    <p>Bond deoxyribose to phosphate groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a gene?

    <p>A sequence of DNA that codes for a protein.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is DNA replication?

    <p>The process of producing two identical replicas from one original DNA molecule.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a complementary strand?

    <p>Either of the two chains that make up a double helix of DNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of nitrogen base is Adenine?

    <p>Purine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nitrogen bases pair together in DNA?

    <p>Guanine and Cytosine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is helicase?

    <p>An enzyme that unwinds the double-stranded helical structure of nucleic acids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of ligase in DNA replication?

    <p>To 'zip' the complementary strands of DNA after replication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Nucleic Acids

    • Essential macromolecules for all life, comprising nitrogenous bases, deoxyribose sugar, and phosphate groups.

    DNA

    • Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic blueprint of organisms, encoding necessary instructions for growth and functioning.

    Structure of DNA

    • Exhibits a double helix formation resembling a twisted ladder, with a backbone made of deoxyribose sugars and phosphate groups.

    Nucleotide

    • Fundamental unit of DNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a phosphate group.

    Nitrogenous Bases

    • Form the "rungs" of the DNA ladder; include Adenine (A) paired with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) paired with Cytosine (C).

    Hydrogen and Covalent Bonds

    • Hydrogen bonds connect nitrogen bases together; covalent bonds link deoxyribose to phosphate groups within the DNA backbone.

    Chromosomes

    • Threadlike structures composed of chromatin DNA, responsible for carrying genes in a linear order, typically appearing as 'x' shapes.

    Genes

    • DNA sequences that code for proteins, determining specific traits in organisms.

    DNA Replication

    • The process of creating two identical DNA molecules from a single original strand, which is a semi-conservative method of inheritance.

    Eukaryotic Cells

    • Cells containing a membrane-bound nucleus and specialized organelles; examples include protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

    Complementary Strands

    • Each of the two chains that constitute a DNA double helix, whose bases correspond to each other.

    Key Enzymes in DNA Replication

    • Helicase: unwinds the double-stranded DNA.
    • Ligase: connects complementary DNA strands post-replication by forming covalent bonds.

    Base Pairs

    • Specific pairs (A-T and G-C in DNA; A-U in RNA) that link the sugar-phosphate backbones of nucleic acids.

    Types of Nitrogen Bases

    • Purines: Include Adenine (A) and Guanine (G).
    • Pyrimidines: Include Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U).

    Traits and Inheritance

    • Traits are characteristics of organisms and are inherited through genes passed from parents.

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    Description

    Explore the complex world of nucleic acids with a focus on DNA, the blueprint of life. This quiz covers essential concepts including nucleotides, nitrogenous bases, and the structural features of DNA. Test your understanding of how these components work together to encode genetic information.

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