3.1.5.1 DNA

Question 1

What is the role of DNA and RNA?

Answer 1

DNA - holds genetic information in all living organism.
RNA - Transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes

Question 2

What are DNA molecules called?

Answer 2

Polynucleotides

Question 3

What are the components of DNA and RNA?

Answer 3

Phosphate group, nitrogenous base, ribose sugar

Question 4

What are the base pairings for DNA and RNA?

Answer 4

DNA - A-T C-G
RNA - A-U C-G

Question 5

How are polynucleotides joined together?

Answer 5

Condensation reaction between two nucleotides that forms a phosphodiester bond.

Question 6

What are the bonds that join nucleotides together?

Answer 6

Phosphodiester bonds

Question 7

What is the chain of sugars and phosphates called?

Answer 7

Sugar-phosphate backbone

Question 8

What direction do DNA strands move?

Answer 8

• Anti parallel direction

Question 9

How does the structure of DNA link to its function?

Answer 9

1) Weak hydrogen bonds between 2 DNA polynucleotides can separate easily during DNA replication.
2) DNA is a very large molecule, so can carry lots of genetic information.
3) Base pairs are protected by the sugar-phosphate backbone so are able to pair to free bases via complementary base pairing.

Question 10

How are bases joined together?

Answer 10

• Via hydrogen bonding