2.1 Structure of RNA and DNA

Question 1

DNA:

Answer 1

deoxyribonucleic acid
stores genetic information

Question 2

What is genetic information

Answer 2

hereditary material
passed on from cell to cell
passed from generation to generation

Question 3

RNA:

Answer 3

ribonucleic acid
transfers genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm

Question 4

what are the monomers of DNA and RNA?

Answer 4

nucleotides

Question 5

general nucleotide structure

Answer 5

phosphate group
pentose sugar
nitrogenous organic base

Question 6

nucleotide structure of DNA

Answer 6

phosphate group
deoxyribose sugar
bases: ATGC

Question 7

nucleotide structure of RNA

Answer 7

phosphate group
ribose sugar
bases: AUGC

Question 8

how are nucleotides joined together?

Answer 8

condensation reaction between the pentose sugar and the phosphate group of another

Question 9

what is the bond between the pentose sugar and the phosphate group?

Answer 9

phosphodiester bonds

Question 10

what’s the enzyme that catalyses the reaction between nucleotides?

Answer 10

DNA polymerase

Question 11

What does the sugar phosphate backbone do?

Answer 11

protects the more chemically reactive bases inside the double helix
= increases stability of DNA

Question 12

number of H bonds between A-T and G-C

Answer 12

A-T = 2
G-C = 3

Question 13

why is an area of more G-C than A-T more stable?

Answer 13

Because G-C base pairs has 3 H bonds, making it more stable

Question 14

three types of RNA

Answer 14

mRNA = made in transcription
tRNA = role in translation (a/a)
rRNA = proteins (ribosomes)

Question 15

complimentary base pairs:

Answer 15

A always pairs with T
G always pairs with C
The 2 polynucleotides are antiparallel (run opposite)

Question 16

How is DNA adapted for its functions

Answer 16

• A=T, G-=C = protects genetic code from being changed by chem/phy forces
  – allows successful DNA replication & transcription
• very large (double helix) = compact, carries a lot of info
• H bonds = strand easily separated
  – stable = can pass info through gens without changing
• protected by sugar phosphate backbone