A1.2- nucleic acids Flashcards
what is DNA?
the genetic material of all living things. This genetic information determines how an organism function.
how do we decide if something is living?
Metabolism
Reproduction
Homeostasis
Growth
Response
Excretion
Nutrition
what is metabolism?
the maintenance of the speed of chemical reactions in the body.
what is reproduction?
the ability to produce offspring.
what is homeostasis?
maintaining a stable internal environment.
what is growth?
permeant increase of size and / or mass.
what is response?
detection of changes or external and internal environments.
what is excretion?
getting rid of toxins
what is nutrition?
the method of obtaining the right things for metabolism and growth.
why is DNA a universal code?
All living things decode DNA in the same way. Thus, DNA is a universal code.
what does DNA do?
It is coded for making proteins. DNA indirectly controls the metabolism as it controls the type of enzymes that can catalyze specific reactions within the body.
are viruses living organisms?
Viruses use RNA (ribonucleic acid) as their genetic code, but many people believe that viruses are not living. They invade body cells and use the cell’s structure to put its own genetic material into by reproducing and building the main parts and carry out the vital processes that allow the virus to function.
what does DNA and RNA stand for ?
DNA= deoxyribonucleic acid. RNA= ribonucleic acid.
what type of molecule are nucleic acids?
polymers
what type of molecule is a nucleotide ?
monomer
what is a nucleotide a monomer?
because they are single molecules that can be bonded and formed into long chains ( polymers)
what are nucleotides composed of ?
a pentose sugar , a nitrogenous base and a phosphate.
how are nucleotides held together ?
by covalent bonds.
what does sugar-phosphate bonding do?
forms a sugar phosphate’ backbone’. it helps keep the nucleotide sequence of DNA which maintains the integrity of the code.
why does DNA have 2 phosphate backbones ?
DNA has 2 phosphate backbones because it is made of 2 strands in a double helix shape. This protects the code in the center of the molecule.
what are the three types of Ribonucleic acid?
MRNA( messenger)
TRNA( transfer)
RRNA(ribosomal)
what are the 4 types of nitrogenous base in DNA?
adenine , thymine, guanine and cytosine
what are the 4 types of nitrogenous base in RNA?
adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil
what does the sequence of nitrogenous bases code for?
they code for a specific protein , the order of bases dictates the type of protein produced
