3.1.5.1 Structure of DNA & RNA

Question 1

Q: What is the primary function of DNA in living cells?

Answer 1

A: DNA holds the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms.

Question 2

Q: What is the role of RNA in the cell?

Answer 2

A: RNA transfers genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

Question 3

Q: What are ribosomes composed of?

Answer 3

A: Ribosomes are composed of RNA and proteins.

Question 4

Q: What are the three components of a nucleotide?

Answer 4

A: A pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Question 5

Q: What are the components of a DNA nucleotide?

Answer 5

A: Deoxyribose (pentose sugar), a phosphate group, and one of the organic bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T).

Question 6

Q: What are the components of an RNA nucleotide?

Answer 6

A: Ribose (pentose sugar), a phosphate group, and one of the organic bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or uracil (U).

Question 7

Q: What type of bond forms between nucleotides in DNA and RNA?

Answer 7

A: A phosphodiester bond, formed by a condensation reaction.

Question 8

Q: Describe the structure of a DNA molecule.

Answer 8

A: DNA is a double helix with two polynucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds between specific complementary base pairs.

Question 9

Q: Describe the structure of an RNA molecule.

Answer 9

A: RNA is a relatively short, single-stranded polynucleotide chain.

Question 10

Q: What base pairs with adenine in DNA?

Answer 10

A: Thymine (T) pairs with adenine (A) in DNA.

Question 11

Q: What base pairs with guanine in DNA?

Answer 11

A: Cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G) in DNA.

Question 12

Q: What base pairs with adenine in RNA?
.

Answer 12

A: Uracil (U) pairs with adenine (A) in RNA

Question 13

Q: What base pairs with guanine in RNA?

Answer 13

A: Cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G) in RNA.

Question 14

Q: What is the primary difference between the sugars found in DNA and RNA nucleotides?

Answer 14

A: DNA contains deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains ribose.

Question 15

Q: How does the phosphodiester bond form between nucleotides?

Answer 15

A: Through a condensation reaction that links the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the sugar of another, forming a covalent bond.

Question 16

Q: How do hydrogen bonds contribute to the DNA structure?

Answer 16

A: Hydrogen bonds between specific base pairs hold the two DNA strands together, stabilizing the double helix structure.

Question 17

Q: What types of interactions are involved in the formation of RNA structures?

Answer 17

A: RNA structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonding between complementary bases, though it is generally single-stranded.

Question 18

Q: What are the roles of mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA in protein synthesis?

Answer 18

A: mRNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome, tRNA brings amino acids to the ribosome, and rRNA makes up the ribosomal structure and aids in protein synthesis.

Question 19

Q: Name a key historical figure who contributed to the understanding of DNA’s structure.

Answer 19

A: James Watson and Francis Crick, who proposed the double helix model of DNA, and Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial.