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A-LEVEL BIO > 1: BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES - DNA + RNA > Flashcards

1: BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES - DNA + RNA Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the function of DNA?

A

stores genetic info

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2
Q

What is the function of RNA?

A
  • transfers genetic info from DNA to ribosomes
  • ribosomes are formed from RNA and proteins
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3
Q

What are the components of a nucleotide?

A
  • pentose sugar
  • nitrogen-containing organic bases
  • phosphate group
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4
Q

What is the pentose sugar in a DNA nucleotide?

A

deoxyribose sugar

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5
Q

What is the pentose sugar in an RNA nucleotide?

A

ribose sugar

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6
Q

What are the 4 different possible bases in a DNA nucleotide?

A
  • adenine (A)
  • thymine (T)
  • guanine (G)
  • cytosine (C)
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7
Q

What are the 4 different possible bases in an RNA nucleotide?

A
  • adenine (A)
  • uracil (U)
  • guanine (G)
  • cytosine (C)
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8
Q

What type of reaction joins nucleotides together?

A

condensation reaction

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9
Q

What type of bond forms between nucleotides that have been joined together by a condensation reaction?

A

phosphodiester bonds

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10
Q

What is the chain of pentose sugars and phosphate groups called?

A

sugar phosphate backbone

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11
Q

Describe the shape of a DNA molecule

A
  • 2 antiparallel polynucleotide chains wind around each other to form a double helix
  • coiled tightly to form chromosomes (make it compact meaning lots of genetic info can fit into a small space in the nucleus)
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12
Q

What do the antiparallel strands allow DNA to do?

A

allows polynucleotide chains to twist to form double helix

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13
Q

What are the benefits of DNA having a double helix structure?

A
  • more compact
  • bases aren’t exposed which makes DNA more stable and it means is less likely for bases to be damaged
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14
Q

What bonds form between bases in DNA?

A

hydrogen bonds

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15
Q

What are the complementary base pairings in DNA?

A
  • adenine (A) + thymine (T)
  • guanine (G) + cytosine (C)
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16
Q

How many hydrogen bonds form between A and T?

A

2

17
Q

How many hydrogen bonds form between C and G?

A

3

18
Q

Compare the lengths of RNA and DNA strands

A
  • DNA strands are long
  • RNA strands are relatively short
19
Q

When was DNA 1st observed?

A

1800s

20
Q

Why did scientists doubt that DNA could carry genetic code?

A

it has a relatively simple chemical composition

21
Q

By what year did experiments show that DNA carried genetic code?

A

1953

22
Q

When was the double helix structure determined and by who?

A
  • 1953
  • determined by James Watson and Francis Crick
23
Q
A

A-LEVEL BIO (23 decks)

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