3.1.5.1 Structure of DNA & RNA Flashcards
Q: What is the primary function of DNA in living cells?
A: DNA holds the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms.
Q: What is the role of RNA in the cell?
A: RNA transfers genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.
Q: What are ribosomes composed of?
A: Ribosomes are composed of RNA and proteins.
Q: What are the three components of a nucleotide?
A: A pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Q: What are the components of a DNA nucleotide?
A: Deoxyribose (pentose sugar), a phosphate group, and one of the organic bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T).
Q: What are the components of an RNA nucleotide?
A: Ribose (pentose sugar), a phosphate group, and one of the organic bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or uracil (U).
Q: What type of bond forms between nucleotides in DNA and RNA?
A: A phosphodiester bond, formed by a condensation reaction.
Q: Describe the structure of a DNA molecule.
A: DNA is a double helix with two polynucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds between specific complementary base pairs.
Q: Describe the structure of an RNA molecule.
A: RNA is a relatively short, single-stranded polynucleotide chain.
Q: What base pairs with adenine in DNA?
A: Thymine (T) pairs with adenine (A) in DNA.
Q: What base pairs with guanine in DNA?
A: Cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G) in DNA.
Q: What base pairs with adenine in RNA?
.
A: Uracil (U) pairs with adenine (A) in RNA
Q: What base pairs with guanine in RNA?
A: Cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G) in RNA.
Q: What is the primary difference between the sugars found in DNA and RNA nucleotides?
A: DNA contains deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains ribose.
Q: How does the phosphodiester bond form between nucleotides?
A: Through a condensation reaction that links the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the sugar of another, forming a covalent bond.
Q: How do hydrogen bonds contribute to the DNA structure?
A: Hydrogen bonds between specific base pairs hold the two DNA strands together, stabilizing the double helix structure.
Q: What types of interactions are involved in the formation of RNA structures?
A: RNA structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonding between complementary bases, though it is generally single-stranded.
Q: What are the roles of mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA in protein synthesis?
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.
Q: Name a key historical figure who contributed to the understanding of DNA’s structure.
A: James Watson and Francis Crick, who proposed the double helix model of DNA, and Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial.
