1.6 Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What are the components of a nucleotide?
Pentose sugar
Phosphate
Nitrogenous organic base
Which neucleotide bases are purines and which are pyrimidines?
Purines: adenine and guanine
Pyrimidines: cytosine, uracil and thymine
How are nucleotide bases linked?
Linked by condensation reactions to form polymers (RNA and DNA)
What is DNA made of?
2 chains liked via the base pairs (G - C & A - T)
Base pairs linked by hydrogen bonds to form a double helix
What is RNA made of?
C - G & A - U (uracil)
What are the major functions of DNA?
Replication in dividing cells.
Carrying the information for protein synthesis in all cells.
What is replication necessary for?
It allows accurate copying of DNA for mitosis and meiosis.