1.5.1 Nucleotides Flashcards
What does DNA store
Genetic information
What are DNA and RNA polymers of
Nucleotides
Uses of mRNA (broad)
Transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes
Uses of tRNA (broad)
Transfers specific amino acids to ribosomes to form a polypeptide
What are ribosomes formed of
Proteins and rRNA
Draw the structure of a nucleotide, and how it differs in DNA and RNA
What are the main differences in the nucleotides of DNA and RNA
- Deoxyribose sugar in DNA
- Ribose sugar in RNA
- Thymine base in DNA
- Uracil base in RNA
What covalent bond does the condensation reaction between adjacent nucleotides form
Phosphodiester
What is the polymer of nucleotides
Nucleic Acid
Where do phosphodiester bonds form between
3rd carbon on one pentose sugar, and the phosphate on the next nucleotide
What forms between bases in complimentary base pairing, and what are the pairings
- Hydrogen bonds
- Adenine and thymine/uracil
- Cytosine and Guanine
What is the primary function of the sugar-phosphate backbone
Protects the sequence of bases (as they hold the genetic information)
DNA vs RNA: Number of strands
- 2 antiparallel strands
- 1 strand
DNA vs RNA: Shape
- Double coiled helix
- Strands held together by hydrogen bonds
- mRNA = linear
- tRNA = clover-leaf shaped
DNA vs RNA: Sugar
Deoxyribose vs ribose
DNA vs RNA: Bases
- Adenine
- Cytosine
- Guanine
- Thymine in DNA
- Uracil in RNA
DNA vs RNA: length
Longer vs shorter
Main points of comparison between DNA and RNA
- Strands
- Sugar
- Bases
- Length
- Hydrogen Bonds
- NOT SHAPE
What are the similarities between RNA and DNA
- Phosphodiester bonds join adjacent nucleotides
- Polymers of nucleotides
- Nucleotides consist of nitrogenous base, pentose sugar and phosphate group
Describe how the structure of DNA is related to it’s functions
- Sugar phosphate backbone protects bases
- Large so can store lots of information
- Coiled helix so compact
- Base sequence codes for amino acids
- Double stranded - allows for semi-conservative replication
- Weak hydrogen bonds between complimentary base pairs - allows DNA to be unzipped during replication
