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Bio Paper 1 -Biological molecules and Cells- > 2.1 Structure of RNA and DNA > Flashcards

2.1 Structure of RNA and DNA Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the basic function of DNA

A

Holds genetic information which codes for polypeptides (proteins)

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2
Q

Why is it essential that cells contain DNA

A

So that the genetic information can be passed on to new cells without being damaged

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3
Q

What is the monomer that makes up DNA

A

A nucleotide

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4
Q

What is DNA made up of (chemically)

A

Deoxyribose (Pentose sugar)
A nitrogenous base
A phosphate group

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5
Q

What are the 4 nitrogenous bases in DNA

A

Guanine
Cytosine
Adenine
Thymine

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6
Q

What is the polymer form of a nucelotide (this is worded bad shut up ik)

A

Polynucelotide

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7
Q

How is DNA created (4)

A
  • It is created via condensation reactions that release water molecules
  • Between the Deoxyribose and the Phosphate group
  • Creating a Phosphodiester bond (type of covalent bond)
  • Phosphodiester bond ensures that the genetic code is not broken down
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8
Q

How is the polynucelotide held together

A

Strong covalent bonds called phosphodiester bonds

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9
Q

How are the DNA polymer pairs joined together

A

Hydrogen bonds between the Nitrogenous bases

This is how the double helix strcutre is created as the two chains twist

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10
Q

What is the only condition through which hydrogen bonds form in polynucelotides

A

They can only form between complimentary base pairs
Cytosine—Guanine
Adenosine–Thymine
Guanine—Cytosine
Thymine–Adenine

Number of ‘-‘ represent the number of h bond bwteen the bases

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11
Q

How does the structure of DNA relate to its function (7)

A
  • Double helix(coiled)- Compact
  • Double helix with sugar phosphate backbone—>protects hydrogen bonds
  • Double stranded molecule- Both can act as templates for semi conservative replication
  • Many hydrogen bonds between bases making it a stable molecule
  • Long molecule- stores lots of genetic information
  • Complimentary base pairing -Allows identical copies to be made
  • Hydrogen bonds between bases are weak so strands can be separated for replication
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12
Q

Draw (use ur imagination) a nucelotide

A

Phosphate group(circular)
Ribose (pentagonal shape)
Nitrogenous base (Rectangle)

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13
Q

Why did many scientists initially doubt that DNA carried the genetic code

A

DNA was relatively simple- Chemically simple molecules with few components

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14
Q

What is RNA (3)

A

*A polymer of a nucleotide formed of a:
Ribose
Nitrogenous base
Phosphate group
*Relatively short
*Single Stranded

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15
Q

Name the 4 nitrogenous bases in RNA

A

Adenine
Uracil
Guanine
Cytosine

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16
Q

What is the function of RNA

A

To copy and transfer the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes

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17
Q

Name the types of molecules from which a ribosome is made

A

RNA and Proteins

18
Q

What are the three types of RNA

A

mRNA-Messenger
tRNA-Transfer
rRNA-Ribosomal

19
Q

What is mRNA

A

A copy of a gene from DNA
Created in the nucleus

20
Q

What is the function of mRNA

Messenger

A

To carry a copy of the genetic code of one gene to a ribosome in the cytoplasm

21
Q

Why is the function of mRNA important

A

DNA is too large to leave the nucleus and would be at risk of being damaged by enzymes —-> therefore destroying the genetic code permanently

22
Q

Why is mRNA short

A

It is the length of one gene so it can therefore leave the nucleus

23
Q

Why is mRNA short lived

A

It is only needed temporarily to help create a protein —> therefore by the time an enzyme breaks it down it would have already carried out its function

24
Q

What is a codon

A

Three bases in a gene that code for specific amino acids

25
Q

Where is tRNA found

A

in the cytoplasm

26
Q

What is the structure of tRNA

A

Single stranded but folded to create a shape that looks like a clover leaf that is held in place by H bonds

27
Q

What is the function of tRNA

A

To attach to one of the 20 amino acids and transfer this amino acid to the ribosome to create the polypeptide chin

28
Q

Do random amino acids bind to random tRNA (3)

A
  • No
  • Specific amino acids bind to specific tRNA’s
  • This is determined by the three bases found in the tRNA
29
Q

How are mRNA and tRNA similar(codon-anticodon)

A

The three bases found in the tRNA are complimemtary to mRNA and these are called anti codon

30
Q

What is the function of rRNA

A

To combine with proteins to make ribosomes

31
Q

What are the differences between the DNA and RNA monomers

A
  • DNA contains the base Thymine whereas RNA has Uracil instead of Thymine
  • DNA contains the pentose suagr deoxyribose whilst RNA contains Ribose
32
Q

What are the two differences between the polymers of DNA and RNA

A
  • DNA is much longer as it contains 23,000 genes whereas RNA is shorter as it only contains 1
  • DNA is double stranded whilst RNA is single stranded
33
Q

Describe the structure of mRNA (5)

A
  • Polymer of nucleotides
  • Each nucelotide formed from ribose, a phosphate group and a nitrogen base containing organic base
  • Bases are Uracil Adenine Cytosine Guanine
  • Phosphodiester bonds join adjacent nucelotides
  • Single helix
34
Q

Describe the structure of DNA (6)

A
  • Polymer of nucelotide
  • Each nucelotide formed from deoxyribose, a phosphate group and a nitrogen containing organic base
  • Phosphodiester bonds join adjacent nucelotides
  • 2 polynucelotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds
  • Between specific complimentary base pairs- Adenine/Thymine Cytosine/Guanine
  • Double helix
35
Q

Compare and contrast the structure of DNA and mRNA (5)

A

-DNA Pentose sugar is deoxyribose whereas in mRNA the pentose sugar is ribose
-DNA has the base thymine whereas in mRNA the base has no thymine but has Uracil instead
-DNA is double stranded whilst mRNA is single stranded
-DNA is longer (more nucelotides) mRNA is shorter (less nucelotides)
-DNA has hydrogen bonding mRNA does not

36
Q

Which Nitrogenous bases are Purine

A

Adenine and Guanine
They both have two rings
Guanine has a double bond to O

37
Q

Which Nitrogenous bases are pyrimidine

A

Thymine Cytosine and Uracil
Has one ring

38
Q

Why can Adenine and Cytosine not bond

A

Adenine would form 2 hydrogen bonds whereas Cytosine would form 3 hydrogen bonds

39
Q

What is the differnece between Deoxyribose and Ribose

A

Deoxyribose chemical formula-C5 H10 O4
Ribose has the same but one more oxygen
Strcture of Deoxyribose is more stable so it has a sotrnger covalent bonds as the C3 bond will be bonded directly oto the phosphate group

40
Q

How are polynucleotides formed

A

When DNA contains a second antiparallel chain that runs in the opposite direction

E.g. 5’ prime and 3’ prime end

Bio Paper 1 -Biological molecules and Cells- (28 decks)

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