2.1.3. Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids

Question 1

What elements do nucleic acid contain?

Answer 1

1) Carbon
2) Oxygen
3) Hydrogen
4) Nitrogen
5) Phosphorus

Question 2

Draw the structure of a nucleotide

Answer 2

1. Pentose monosaccharide -Deoxyribose or Ribose
2. Phosphate group (PO4) 2-
3. Nitrogenous base- A, C, G, T, U

Question 3

How are phosphodiester bonds formed?

Answer 3

Through a condensation reaction which releases a water molecule.

Question 4

How are phosphodiester bonds broken?

Answer 4

Through a hydrolysis reaction which uses a water molecule

Question 5

Explain how phosphodiester bonds are formed?

Answer 5

Between a phosphate group on carbon 5 of one pentose monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group (-OH) on carbon 3 of an adjacent pentose monosaccharide

Question 6

Define the term ‘Phosphodiester Bonds?’

Answer 6

Covalent bonds formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide & the hydroxyl group of another

Question 7

What is the result of phosphodiester bonds?

Answer 7

Sugar-phosphate backbone

Long & strong

Question 8

Which type of base is larger: Purine or Pyrimidine. Explain why.

Answer 8

Purine bases are larger.

2 carbon ring structure

Question 9

How many carbon ring(s) does a pyrimidine bases have?

Answer 9

1

Question 10

Which bases are purine?

Answer 10

Adenine (A)

Guanine (G)

Question 11

Which bases are pyrimidine?

Answer 11

Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
Uracil (U)

Question 12

How many bonds do A-T form?

Answer 12

2 hydrogen bonds

Question 13

How many bonds do C-G form?

Answer 13

3 hydrogen bonds

Question 14

Is DNA stable under alkaline conditions?

Answer 14

Yes

Question 15

Is RNA stable under alkaline conditions?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

What are the similarities between DNA and RNA?

Answer 16

1.RNA nucleotides form polymers in the same way as DNA nucleotides:
The formation of phosphodiester bonds through a condensation reaction

2. RNA is broken down the same was as DNA:
   Breaking down of phosphodiester bonds through a hydrolysis reaction