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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the primary function of DNA?
Which of the following best describes the primary function of DNA?
In a sample of DNA, if 15% of the bases are guanine (G), what percentage would be adenine (A), according to Chargaff’s rule?
In a sample of DNA, if 15% of the bases are guanine (G), what percentage would be adenine (A), according to Chargaff’s rule?
What is the type of bond that links nucleotides together during the synthesis of nucleic acids?
What is the type of bond that links nucleotides together during the synthesis of nucleic acids?
Which of the following options correctly identifies the nitrogenous bases found in RNA?
Which of the following options correctly identifies the nitrogenous bases found in RNA?
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Which characteristic is exclusive to DNA compared to RNA?
Which characteristic is exclusive to DNA compared to RNA?
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Which statement best describes how ATP releases energy?
Which statement best describes how ATP releases energy?
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If a segment of a DNA template strand reads 5'-ATTCGTCA-3', what would be the sequence of the complementary RNA strand?
If a segment of a DNA template strand reads 5'-ATTCGTCA-3', what would be the sequence of the complementary RNA strand?
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What role does the enzyme ligase play in nucleic acid synthesis?
What role does the enzyme ligase play in nucleic acid synthesis?
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Study Notes
Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids are macromolecules formed from chains of nucleotides.
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) stores hereditary information, including physical traits, protein structure, and disease predisposition.
- RNA (ribonucleic acid) helps transfer hereditary information to create proteins.
- ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the universal energy-carrying molecule.
Nucleotides
- Nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids.
- A nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose or ribose), and a nitrogenous base.
- Nitrogenous bases include: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Thymine is found in DNA, uracil in RNA.
- Purines (adenine and guanine) are larger than pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil).
Nucleic Acid Synthesis
- Nucleotides link together via phosphodiester bonds to form a nucleic acid.
Examples of Nucleic Acids: DNA vs. RNA
| Feature | DNA | RNA |
|---|---|---|
| # of strands | Double strand | Single strand |
| Type of sugar | Deoxyribose | Ribose |
| Nitrogen bases | A, C, G, T | A, C, G, U |
| Complementary base pairs? | Yes | No |
| Hydrogen bonds? | Yes | No |
| Backbone | Sugar and phosphate | Sugar and phosphate |
| Location in cell | Nucleus | Nucleus, cytoplasm |
DNA Structure
- DNA is a double helix.
- The two strands of DNA are antiparallel (5' to 3' and 3' to 5').
- The structure of DNA allows for complementary base pairing between A and T, and C and G.
- The distance between base pairs is 0.34 nm. The distance between two twists (turns) is 3.4 nm.
RNA Structure
- RNA is a single-stranded molecule.
- RNA contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)
- The base pairs are A and U, and C and G.
Chargaff's Rule
- Chargaff's rule states that the amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine (A=T), and the amount of guanine equals the amount of cytosine (G=C) in DNA.
- This rule applies to all organisms.
Complementary Base Pairing
- Complementary base pairs are crucial for accurately replicating and transcribing genetic information.
ATP
- ATP is a special nucleotide, the universal energy-carrying molecule.
- High-energy bonds between phosphate groups in ATP release energy when broken.
- AMP is a nucleotide with only one phosphate group.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of nucleic acids, including their structure and function. You will learn about the roles of DNA and RNA, as well as the components of nucleotides. Test your understanding of how these essential molecules contribute to heredity and energy transfer.
