Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

(HS) Biology 12 > 2.8 Nucleic Acids > Flashcards

2.8 Nucleic Acids Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the 2 types of nucleic acids?

A
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

- RNA (ribonucleic acid)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does DNA do?

A

stores genetic information in the cell and in the organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does a cell do with the information stored in it by DNA?

A

the cell replicates and transmits this information when the cell copies itself as well as when the organism reproduces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a nucleotide?

A

a molecular complex of 3 subunits

  • phosphate (phosphoric acid)
  • pentose sugar
  • nitrogen-containing base
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What do nucleotides in DNA contain?

A

the sugar deoxyriose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do nucleotides in RNA contain?

A

the sugar ribose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 4 different types of bases in DNA?

A

adenine
thymine
guanine
cytosine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which how many rings can a base in DNA have?

A

adenine and guanine: 2

thymine and cytosine: 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 4 different types of bases in RNA?

A

adenine
uracil
guanine
cytosine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why are they called bases?

A

their presence raises the pH of a solution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is the sequence of DNA most often referred?

A

in terms of the bases present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a strand?

A

a linear molecule formed by nucleotides that have a backbone made up of alternating phosphates and sugars with the bases projecting to one side of the backbone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the sequence of the bases in human DNA called?

A

the human genome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the human genome expected improve?

A
  • genetic counselling
  • gene therapy
  • medicines to treat the causes of many human illnesses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a double helix?

A

the structure of DNA resulting from 2 strands twisting about each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In DNA, how are the 2 strands held together?

A

by hydrogen bonds between the bases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the upright (sides) of the ladder of DNA made of?

A

alternating phosphate and sugar molecules

18
Q

What are the rungs of the ladder of DNA made of?

A

complementary paired bases

19
Q

What are always the complementary base pairings?

A

adenine and thymine
guanine and cytosine

*complementary bases have shapes that fit together

20
Q

What do complementary base pairings allow DNA to do?

A

replicate in a way that ensures the sequence of bases will remain the same

21
Q

What do the base sequences of specific sections of DNA contain?

A

a code that specifies the sequence of amino acids in the proteins of the cell

22
Q

How many strands does RNA have and how is it formed?

A

single -stranded

formed by complementary base pairing with one DNA strand

23
Q

What is mRNA?

A

messenger RNA

carries the information from the DNA strand to the ribosome where it is translated into the sequence of amino acids specified by the DNA

24
Q

What is the heredity information stored by the DNA?

A

the sequence of its bases, which determines the primary structure of the cell’s proteins

25
Q

What is ATP?

A

adenosine triphosphate

a nucelotide composed of the nitrogen-containing base adenine and the 5-carbon sugar ribose (together called ribose) and 3 phosphate groups

*a common and universal energy “currency” of the cells in living systems

26
Q

Why is ATP a high-energy molecule?

A

because of the energy stored in the chemical bonds of the phosphates

the last two phosphate bonds are unstable and easily broken

27
Q

What is the chemical work of ATP?

A

supplies energy needed to synthesize macromolecules (anabolism) that make up the cell and therefore, the organism

28
Q

What is the transport work of ATP?

A

supplies energy needed to pump substances across the plasma membrane

29
Q

What is the mechanical work of ATP?

A

supplies energy needed to permit muscles to contract, cilia and flagella to beat, chromosomes to move

*in most cases, ATP is the immediate source of energy for these processes

30
Q

In cells, what usually happens to the terminal phosphate bond?

A

it is hydrolyzed, leaving the molecule ADP and a molecule of inorganic phosphate P

31
Q

What happens when ATP is converted to ADP + P?

A

the amount of energy released (about 7.3 kcal per mole) is sufficient for a particular biological function and little energy is wasted

32
Q

What do cells use the energy released by ATP breakdown for?

A

to synthesize macromolecules such as carbohydrates and proteins

33
Q

What do muscle cells use the energy released by ATP breakdown for?

A

muscle contraction

34
Q

What do nervous cells use the energy released by ATP breakdown for?

A

the conduction of nerve impulses

35
Q

What happens after ATP breaks down?

A

it is rebuilt by the addition of P to ADP with an input of energy

36
Q

Why is glucose broken down in a step-wise fashion during cellular respiration?

A

so that the energy of glucose is converted ti that of ATP molecules in mitochondria

*only 39% of the free energy of glucose is transformed to ATP, the rest is lost as heat

37
Q

What do ATP molecules serve as?

A

small “energy packets” suitable for supplying energy to a wide variety of a cell’s chemical reactions

38
Q

What happens when cells require energy?

A
  • they ‘spend’ ATP
  • reactions in the cell that need energy require ATP
  • the more active the organism, the greater the demand for ATP
39
Q

What is an endergonic reaction? Give an example.

A

creation of ATP from ADP and P requires input of energy from other sources

ie. cellular respiration

40
Q

What is an exergonic reaction? Give an example.

A

hydrolysis of ATP releases previously stored energy, allowing the change in free energy to do work and drive other processes

ie. protein synthesis, nerve conduction, muscle contraction

41
Q

In cells, how does ATP carry energy?

A

between exergonic and endergonic reactions

*when a phosphate group is removed by hydrolysis, ATP releases the appropriate amount of energy for most metabolic reactions

(HS) Biology 12 (46 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions