1. DNA Flashcards
1
Q
What is DNA?
A
- Stands for deoxyribonucleic acid
- A molecule that is common to all living organisms
- Two functions, to store and transmit genetic information
- Double helix structure with complementary bases
- Double refers to it having two sugar phosphates
- Helical refers to it being like a twisted ladder
2
Q
What is RNA
A
- Stands for ribonucleic acid
- A polymer that codes and decodes genetic information
- DNA codes for RNA and RNA codes for proteins
- Different types of RNA include, messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA)
3
Q
How is RNA different from DNA?
A
RNA is single-stranded, contains ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose sugar, contains the base Uracil instead of Thymine, is shorter and the base pairing is (A - U, C - G)
4
Q
What is the complementary base pairing?
A
Adeine is complementary to Thymine. Cytosine is complementary to Guanine.
5
Q
Why is complementary base pairing important?
A
- The DNA structure remains exact and orderly. Hydrogen bonding between strands ensures the DNA molecule does not form an irregular structure.
- The DNA molecule can store and transmit larger quantities of genetic information. As it is very large, base pairing enables the strands to separate so that genetic information can be used in replication and transcription.
