3.1.5.1 Nucleic acid structure

Question 1

What are nucleic acids

Answer 1

• information carrying molecules

Question 2

General definition of DNA and RNA

Answer 2

.DNA = storage of genetic information
.RNA = transfer of genetic information from DNA to ribosomes

Question 3

What are the components of a nucleotide

Answer 3

• Pentose (5C) - ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA
• phosphate group (bound to 5th carbon)
• nitrogenous base (bound to 1st carbon) - adenine, cystine, guanine & thymine / uracil

Question 4

How is a nuclei acid formed

Answer 4

• condensation reaction
• between nucleotides
• forms phosphodiester bonds

Question 5

Compare DNA And RNA

Answer 5

DNA - 2 strands RNA - none
DNA - double helix shape RNA - linear (mRNA & clover shaped tRNA)
DNA - sugar is deoxyribose RNA - ribose
DNA - A, C, G, T RNA - + Uracil
DNA - longer length RNA - short

Question 6

What is the role of the phosphate backbone

Answer 6

• protects the sequence of bases (genetic information)

Question 7

Uses of RNA:
mRNA

Answer 7

• transfers genetic info. From DNA to ribosomes

Question 8

Uses of RNA:
TRNA

Answer 8

• transfers specific a.a to ribosomes to form a polypeptide (codons to anticodons)