3.5 Nucleic Acids

Question 1

Nucleic acid

Answer 1

carry the cell’s genetic blueprint and carry
instructions for its functioning

Question 2

deoxyribonucleic acid

Answer 2

(DNA) the genetic material in all living organisms

Question 3

ribonucleic acid

Answer 3

(RNA) mostly involved in protein synthesis.

Question 4

messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer 4

intermediary to communicate with the rest of the cell (cuz DNA is lazy and never leaves the nucleus)

Question 5

nucleotides

Answer 5

monomer of nucleic acids(DNA/RNA); contains a pentose
sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous
base

Question 6

polynucleotide

Answer 6

long chain of nucleotides

Question 7

purines

Answer 7

type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; (2 C-N rings)
ex: adenine(A) and guanine(G)

Question 8

pyrimidines

Answer 8

type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA;( 1 C-N ring)
Ex: cytosine(C), thymine(T), and uracil(U)

Question 9

phosphodiester linkage

Answer 9

covalent chemical bond that holds together the polynucleotide chains with a phosphate group linking neighboring nucleotides’ two pentose sugars

Question 10

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Answer 10

-major constituent of ribosomes on which the mRNA binds
- ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the Ribosomes

Question 11

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Answer 11

-one of the smallest of the four types of RNA, usually 70–90 nucleotides long.
- It carries the correct amino acid to the protein synthesis site

Question 12

transcription

Answer 12

when DNA dictates the structure of mRNA

Question 13

translation

Answer 13

when RNA dictates the protein’s structure