2.1.3. Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What elements do nucleic acid contain?
1) Carbon
2) Oxygen
3) Hydrogen
4) Nitrogen
5) Phosphorus
Draw the structure of a nucleotide
- Pentose monosaccharide -Deoxyribose or Ribose
- Phosphate group (PO4) 2-
- Nitrogenous base- A, C, G, T, U
How are phosphodiester bonds formed?
Through a condensation reaction which releases a water molecule.
How are phosphodiester bonds broken?
Through a hydrolysis reaction which uses a water molecule
Explain how phosphodiester bonds are formed?
Between a phosphate group on carbon 5 of one pentose monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group (-OH) on carbon 3 of an adjacent pentose monosaccharide
Define the term ‘Phosphodiester Bonds?’
Covalent bonds formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide & the hydroxyl group of another
What is the result of phosphodiester bonds?
Sugar-phosphate backbone
Long & strong
Which type of base is larger: Purine or Pyrimidine. Explain why.
Purine bases are larger.
2 carbon ring structure
How many carbon ring(s) does a pyrimidine bases have?
1
Which bases are purine?
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
Which bases are pyrimidine?
Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
Uracil (U)
How many bonds do A-T form?
2 hydrogen bonds
How many bonds do C-G form?
3 hydrogen bonds
Is DNA stable under alkaline conditions?
Yes
Is RNA stable under alkaline conditions?
No
What are the similarities between DNA and RNA?
1.RNA nucleotides form polymers in the same way as DNA nucleotides:
The formation of phosphodiester bonds through a condensation reaction
- RNA is broken down the same was as DNA:
Breaking down of phosphodiester bonds through a hydrolysis reaction
