Nucleic Acids: Structure and Functions

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Questions and Answers

¿Cuál de las siguientes funciones distingue principalmente al ADN del ARN?

  • Catalizar reacciones bioquímicas.
  • Participar directamente en la síntesis de proteínas.
  • Almacenar información genética a largo plazo. (correct)
  • Transportar aminoácidos a los ribosomas.

¿Por qué la replicación del ADN es un proceso fundamental para la vida?

  • Porque asegura que el ARN se transcriba correctamente.
  • Porque permite la síntesis de proteínas en los ribosomas.
  • Porque facilita la traducción de ARN en proteínas.
  • Porque garantiza que cada célula hija reciba una copia fiel de la información genética. (correct)

¿Cuál es la base nitrogenada que se encuentra únicamente en el ARN y no en el ADN?

  • Timina
  • Adenina
  • Uracilo (correct)
  • Citosina

¿Cómo se complementan las bases nitrogenadas en la estructura de doble hélice del ADN?

<p>Adenina con Timina, Guanina con Citosina (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Si una secuencia de ADN es ATC, ¿cuál sería la secuencia de ARNm complementaria transcrita?

<p>UAG (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considerando las funciones del ARNm, ARNt y ARNr, ¿cuál de las siguientes opciones describe mejor su colaboración en la síntesis de proteínas?

<p>El ARNm lleva la información, el ARNt transporta los aminoácidos, y el ARNr forma la estructura del ribosoma. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

¿Qué distingue a las purinas de las pirimidinas en la composición de los ácidos nucleicos?

<p>Las purinas contienen dos anillos, mientras que las pirimidinas contienen un anillo simple. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

¿Cómo influyó el descubrimiento de la estructura de doble hélice del ADN en la biología molecular?

<p>Revolucionó la comprensión de la replicación, transcripción y herencia genética. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

¿Cuál de los siguientes componentes NO forma parte de un nucleótido?

<p>Aminoácido (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

¿En qué proceso biológico el ADN sirve como molde para la síntesis de ARN?

<p>Transcripción (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are nucleic acids?

Biomolecules containing genetic information regulating organism development, function, and reproduction. Examples: ADN and ARN

What are nucleotides?

Units composing nucleic acids. Each contains a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base.

What are purines?

Nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A) & Guanine (G).

What are pyrimidines?

Nitrogenous bases: Cytosine (C), Thymine (T, only in DNA), and Uracil (U, only in RNA).

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What is DNA?

Double helix of two nucleotide chains linked by hydrogen bonds. A pairs with T, and G pairs with C.

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What is RNA?

Single-stranded chain; bases are A, G, C, and U (no Thymine).

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What are the main functions of DNA?

Stores and transmits genetic information from one generation to the next and directs protein synthesis.

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What are the main functions of RNA?

Carries genetic information, transports amino acids, and forms part of ribosomes.

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What is replication?

DNA creates copies of itself to ensure genetic information is passed to each new cell.

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What is transcription?

DNA is transcribed into RNA in order to produce proteins.

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Study Notes

  • Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules containing the genetic information that regulates development, function, and reproduction of living organisms
  • The two main types are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Molecular Composition and Structure

  • Nucleic acids consist of nucleotide units
  • Nucleotides are composed of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base
  • Nitrogenous bases are divided into:
    • Purines: Adenine (A) and Guanine (G)
    • Pyrimidines: Cytosine (C), Thymine (T, only in DNA) and Uracil (U, only in RNA)
  • DNA (double helix) consists of two intertwined nucleotide chains
    • Nitrogenous bases pair through hydrogen bonds: A with T and G with C
  • RNA (single chain) is a single chain with bases A, G, C, and U, it does not contain Thymine

Main Functions

  • ADN:
    • Stores and transmits genetic information from one generation to another
    • Directs protein synthesis by providing the base sequence that determines the genetic code
  • ARN:
    • Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis
    • Transfer RNA (tRNA) transports amino acids to ribosomes for protein formation
    • Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) forms a structural part of ribosomes

Biological Processes

  • Nucleic acids participate in fundamental processes:
    • DNA replicates to ensure each daughter cell receives genetic information
    • Transcription: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which carries the instructions to produce proteins
    • Translation: RNA is translated into proteins in ribosomes

Biological Importance

  • DNA carries the essential genetic instructions for life
  • RNA plays a key role in expressing these instructions to perform cellular functions
  • Both are fundamental to inheritance, evolution, and cellular processes

Historical Notes

  • Nucleic acids were discovered by Friedrich Miescher in 1869, who named them "nuclein"
  • In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick, using data from Rosalind Franklin, described the double helix structure of DNA, revolutionizing molecular biology

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