Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids Quiz

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What does the primary structure of DNA refer to?

  • The sequence of nucleotides in the molecule (correct)
  • The orientation of the sugar-phosphate backbone
  • The three dimensional folding of the polynucleotide
  • The interaction of nitrogenous base pairs

What role do nucleic acids play in living organisms?

  • Structural support
  • Hormone production
  • Information carriers (correct)
  • Energy storage

What is the term for the bonds that hold the nucleic acid sequence together?

  • Phosphodiester bonds (correct)
  • Ionic bonds
  • Peptide bonds
  • Hydrogen bonds

Which component is not a structural part of nucleotides?

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

What characterizes the secondary structure of DNA?

<p>The interaction of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of nucleic acid is primarily responsible for protein synthesis?

<p>Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was demonstrated by the X-ray diffraction image known as Photo 51?

<p>The double-helical structure of DNA (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the nucleic acid sequence, which terminus does the sequence begin with?

<p>5' terminus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is found on the outside of the DNA molecule according to its structure?

<p>Hydrophilic sugar-phosphate backbone (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the structural characteristics of RNA compared to DNA?

<p>RNA is typically single-stranded, while DNA forms a double helix (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of DNA’s structure is primarily responsible for its stability?

<p>Hydrophobic interactions of the nitrogenous bases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes the primary structure of DNA?

<p>The arrangement of nucleotides in a specific order (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are the nitrogenous bases found inward in the DNA structure?

<p>They are hydrophobic and avoid water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of RNA is involved primarily in transferring genetic information from DNA to ribosomes?

<p>Messenger RNA (mRNA) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT true for nucleic acids?

<p>They are capable of catalyzing biochemical reactions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the ends of a nucleic acid sequence?

<p>The sequence begins at the 5' terminus and ends at the 3' terminus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond connects the base pairs in DNA?

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

According to Chargaff’s rules, which pair of nucleotides are equal in quantity?

<p>Adenine and Thymine (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structural formation of DNA?

<p>Coiled double helix (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bases always bond together in DNA?

<p>Purines with opposite pyrimidines (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the orientation of the strands in the DNA double helix?

<p>Anti-parallel (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Cytosine and Guanine in DNA?

<p>Cytosine equals Guanine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many hydrogen bonds are formed between Adenine and Thymine in DNA?

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

What best describes the function of hydrogen bonds in DNA?

<p>They stabilize the double helix structure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the complementary base pair for Adenine (A) in DNA?

<p>Thymine (T) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would you describe the percentage of Guanine (G) in the DNA from microorganism X given that A = 32% and T = 17%?

<p>It is equal to 34%. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the nucleotide composition provided for the microorganisms, what can be inferred about the relationship between A and T?

<p>A is greater than T. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the proportion of Cytosine (C) if A = 32% and T = 17% for microorganism Y?

<p>It is 34%. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Given the sequence ssDNA: 5'-A-A-T-C-G-T-3', what is the complementary strand?

<p>5'-T-T-A-G-C-A-3' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the primary structure of RNA from that of DNA?

<p>The replacement of Thymine with Uracil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What direction does the nucleic acid sequence of RNA proceed?

<p>From 5' to 3' (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which bonds are responsible for holding the nucleic acid sequence of RNA together?

<p>Phosphodiester bonds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding RNA's function?

<p>RNA encodes genetic information similar to DNA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is unique to RNA in comparison to DNA?

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

What does the anticodon in tRNA do?

<p>It pairs with the complementary codon in mRNA. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of RNA is primarily responsible for binding mRNA and tRNA during protein synthesis?

<p>Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about codons is true?

<p>Each codon corresponds to an amino acid. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of transfer RNA (tRNA)?

<p>To transport amino acids to the ribosome. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

<p>It is a coding RNA responsible for protein synthesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Nucleic acids

Main information carriers in cells; provide instructions for protein synthesis.

DNA

A nucleic acid that carries genetic information.

RNA

Another type of nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis.

Primary Structure (DNA)

Sequence of nucleotides in DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Primary Structure (RNA)

Sequence of nucleotides in RNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Secondary Structure (DNA)

The 3D structure formed by the interactions between DNA strands.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Types of RNA

Different types of RNA with specific roles in protein synthesis.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nucleotides

Building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).

Signup and view all the flashcards

DNA Primary Structure

The order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Signup and view all the flashcards

5' terminus

The starting point of a DNA sequence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

3' terminus

The ending point of a DNA sequence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Phosphodiester bonds

Bonds that connect nucleotides in DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DNA Secondary Structure

The 3D shape of DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nitrogenous bases

Components of nucleotides, inside DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Base Pairing

Purines bond with pyrimidines in DNA through hydrogen bonds.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that hold base pairs together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chargaff's rule

A=T and C=G in DNA. Equal amounts of A-T and C-G

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anti-parallel

The two DNA strands run in opposite directions during base pairing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Double Helix

The structure of a DNA molecule, formed by two strands of DNA joined together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Base pairs in DNA

Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DNA Structure

Coiled, antiparallel double-helix due to hydrogen bonds.

Signup and view all the flashcards

5' and 3' Termini

The ends of an RNA molecule. The 5' terminus is at the beginning, and the 3' terminus is at the end of the sequence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Uracil (U)

A nitrogenous base found in RNA, replacing Thymine from DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

RNA's Genetic Information

RNA carries genetic information similar to DNA but plays a different role in protein synthesis.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C).

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the % of G in species X?

Given A = 32% in species X, use Chargaff's rules to calculate the percentage of guanine (G). Remember that A = T and G = C.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the % of C in species Y?

If T = 17% in species Y, use Chargaff's rules to find the percentage of cytosine (C). Remember that A = T and G = C.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Complementary Strand

The strand of DNA that has the opposite base sequence to a given strand, following the base pairing rules (A with T, G with C).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A type of RNA that carries specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A type of non-coding RNA that forms part of the ribosome, the cellular machinery that translates mRNA into protein.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anticodon

A three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that pairs with a complementary codon on mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the protein chain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence in DNA or RNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

Transfer RNA (tRNA) carries specific amino acids to the ribosome, where they are added to the growing polypeptide chain according to the sequence of codons in the messenger RNA (mRNA).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

  • Nucleic acids are the primary information carriers in cells, directing protein synthesis and inherited traits.
  • Nucleic acids are polymeric molecules composed of nucleotides.
  • Nucleotides consist of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.
  • DNA and RNA differ in their pentose sugar (Deoxyribose in DNA, Ribose in RNA) and nitrogenous bases (DNA: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine; RNA: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil).
  • Humans cannot synthesize vitamin C due to a genetic mutation that inactivated the enzyme responsible for its synthesis.
  • Early primates lost this ability ~61 million years ago.
  • The primary structure of DNA/RNA is the sequence of nucleotides.
  • Nucleotides are joined by phosphodiester bonds, forming a backbone.
  • Secondary structure refers to the three-dimensional folding of the polynucleotide chain (e.g., DNA double helix).

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

  • DNA's primary structure is the sequence of deoxyribonucleotides, read 5' to 3'.
  • DNA's secondary structure forms a double helix with antiparallel strands.
  • The double helix is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs (Adenine-Thymine, Guanine-Cytosine).
  • Base pairs are purine-pyrimidine pairings (A-T, G-C).
  • Chargaff's rules state that the amount of A equals T, and the amount of G equals C in a DNA molecule.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

  • RNA is a single-stranded molecule.
  • RNA includes a variety of types with different structural characteristics and functions: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA.
  • mRNA carries genetic information for protein synthesis from the nucleus to the ribosomes.
  • tRNA carries specific amino acids to the ribosomes, aligning them based on mRNA codes.
  • rRNA is a component of ribosomes, the site of protein synthesis.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids Handout PDF

More Like This

Nucleotides in DNA and RNA
53 questions

Nucleotides in DNA and RNA

AstonishedNephrite3413 avatar
AstonishedNephrite3413
Biology Chapter 1: Nucleosides, Nucleotides, and Nucleic Acids
18 questions

Biology Chapter 1: Nucleosides, Nucleotides, and Nucleic Acids

AwestruckFir avatar
AwestruckFir
Week 8: Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
30 questions

Week 8: Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

TolerableOctagon avatar
TolerableOctagon
Genetic Material and Nucleotides
20 questions

Genetic Material and Nucleotides

RenewedImagery6192 avatar
RenewedImagery6192
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser