2.6 Structure of DNA and RNA Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the organic compounds which are the genetic material of a cell.

A

Nucleic acids.

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2
Q

What 3 components does each nucleotide have, and how are they drawn?

A
5-carbon pentose sugar
Phosphate group (circle)
Nitrogenous base (rectangle)
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3
Q

Which carbon atom is the nitrogenous base attached to?

A

The 1’- carbon atom (the right)

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4
Q

Which carbon atom is the phosphate group attached to?

A

The 5’- carbon atom (the left)

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5
Q

What is DNA?

A

A double stranded form that stores the genetic blueprint for cells.

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6
Q

What is RNA?

A

A more versatile single stranded form that transfers the genetic information for decoding.

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7
Q

Name the pentose sugar for DNA and RNA.

A

DNA - deoxyribose

RNA - ribose

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8
Q

Name the base composition for DNA and RNA.

A

DNA - ATGC

RNA - AUGC

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9
Q

Name the number of strands in RNA and DNA.

A

DNA - double stranded (two)

RNA - single stranded (one)

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10
Q

Fill in the blank. Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotide monomers which are linked into a single strand via _____ ______.

A

Condensation reactions.

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11
Q

Where does the phosphate group of one nucleotide attach to on another nucleotide?

A

It attaches to the sugar of another nucleotide.

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12
Q

Name the bond that forms between two nucleotides.

A

Phosphodiester bond.

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13
Q

What are the results of condensation reactions in nucleic acids?

A

Long polynucleotide strands are formed.

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14
Q

How many bonds are between Adenine and Thymine?

A

Two.

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15
Q

How many bonds are between Guanine and Cytosine?

A

Three.

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16
Q

What is the term for the two strands of DNA running in opposite directions?

A

Antiparallel.

17
Q

Why did Watson and Crick use models when elucidating the structure of DNA?

A

It allowed them to visualise and assess the viability of potential structures.

18
Q

Which scientist concluded that ‘DNA is composed of nucleotides made up of a sugar, phosphate and base’?

A

Phoebus Levene (1919)

19
Q

Which scientist concluded that ‘DNA is composed of an equal number of purines (A + G) and pyrimidines’?

A

Erwin Chargaff (1950)

20
Q

Which scientist concluded that ‘DNA is ordered into a helical structure’?

A

Rosalind Franklin (1953)

21
Q

Name the 3 features that Watson and Crick’s model demonstrated.

A
  1. DNA strands are antiparallel and form a double helix.
  2. DNA strands pair via complementary base pairing.
  3. Outer edges of bases remain exposed.