8.1 Structure of DNA

Question 1

DNA is made up of three basic components that combine to form a what?

Answer 1

Nucleotide.

Question 2

What are the three components that make up a nucleotide?

Answer 2

• A sugar called deoxyribose.
• A phosphate group.
• A base, either
  C+T (single ring bases)
  A+G (double ring bases)

Question 3

The three components are combined as a result of what type of reaction?

Answer 3

Condensation reaction (produces water).

Question 4

A is short for?

Answer 4

Adenine.

Question 5

T is short for?

Answer 5

Thymine.

Question 6

C is short for?

Answer 6

Cytosine.

Question 7

G is short for?

Answer 7

Guanine.

Question 8

A goes with?

Answer 8

T by two hydrogen bonds.

Question 9

C goes with?

Answer 9

G by three hydrogen bonds.

Question 10

DNA is adapted to carry out its functions in three ways?

Answer 10

• Very stable and can pass from generation to generation without change.
• Its two separate strands are joined by hydrogen bonds, allowing them to separate during DNA replication and protein synthesis.
• Large molecule to carry a lot of genetic information.

Question 11

What does Adenine pair with?

Answer 11

Thymine.

Question 12

What dues cytosine pair with?

Answer 12

Guanine.

Question 13

What is stronger, the covalent bonds holding the nucleotides together, or the hydrogen bonds holding the two strands together? And why?

Answer 13

The covalent bonds are stronger. This ensures that each strand is stable. The hydrogen binds are weaker as this allows the two strands to be separated.