Questions and Answers
What are nucleotides?
What are the components of nucleotide structure?
5-C sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base
What do pyrimidines contain?
What do purines contain?
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What is a phosphodiester bond?
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What sugar is found in DNA?
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What structural formation does DNA take?
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Which base pairs with adenine?
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What are the main functions of RNA?
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What sugar is found in RNA?
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What base does uracil replace in RNA?
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Study Notes
Nucleotides
- Subunits of nucleic acids that form long polynucleotide chains through dehydration synthesis.
- Variation in nucleotides depends on the specific sugar, nitrogenous base, and number of phosphates present.
Nucleotide Structure
- Comprised of three components: a 5-carbon (pentose) sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
- The structure allows for the formation of polymer chains essential to nucleic acids.
Pyrimidines
- Nitrogenous bases characterized by a single carbon and nitrogen ring.
- Includes cytosine and thymine.
Purines
- Larger nitrogenous bases consisting of two carbon and nitrogen rings.
- Include guanine and adenine.
Phosphodiester Bond
- Forms the backbone of nucleic acid chains by linking nucleotides via dehydration synthesis.
- Involves a bond between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate group of another, creating a sugar-phosphate chain.
- Hydrogen bonds between separate nucleotides lead to the formation of double-stranded DNA.
Deoxyribose
- The specific pentose sugar found in DNA.
- Can bond with one of four nitrogenous bases: guanine, adenine, cytosine, or thymine.
- The number of purines in a DNA strand matches the number of pyrimidines, maintaining base pairing integrity.
Double Helix
- The structural conformation of DNA formed by the twisting of nucleotide strands due to hydrogen bonding.
- Provides stability and compactness to the DNA molecule.
Law of Complementary Base Pairing
- Adenine pairs exclusively with thymine (joined by two hydrogen bonds).
- Guanine pairs exclusively with cytosine (connected by three hydrogen bonds).
RNA
- Composed of long chains of nucleotides linked by sugar-phosphate bonds.
- Typically exists as a single polynucleotide strand, differentiating it from DNA.
Ribose
- The pentose sugar specific to RNA, essential for forming nucleotide units in RNA.
Uracil Base
- A nitrogenous base that substitutes for thymine in RNA, contributing to RNA's unique properties.
RNA Functions
- Major types of RNA include:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA): transports amino acids to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): integral to the formation of ribosomes and protein synthesis.
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Test your knowledge of nucleic acids with these flashcards covering essential terms such as nucleotides and their structures. Each card provides clear definitions to help enhance your understanding of molecular biology concepts.
