A1.2 Nucleic Acids

Question 1

What are nucleic acids?

Answer 1

The genetic material of the cell composed of recurring monomeric units called nucleotides.

Question 2

What is the primary function of nucleic acids?

Answer 2

Pass information between generations and code for protein production.

Question 3

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

Answer 3

Nucleotide.

Question 4

What are the components of a nucleotide?

Answer 4

• A purine or pyrimidine nitrogenous base
• A five-carbon pentose sugar
• A negatively charged phosphate group

Question 5

Which nitrogenous bases are found in DNA?

Answer 5

• Adenine (A)
• Thymine (T)
• Cytosine (C)
• Guanine (G)

Question 6

Which nitrogenous base is exclusive to RNA?

Answer 6

Uracil (U).

Question 7

What type of reaction combines nucleotides to form nucleic acids?

Answer 7

Condensation reaction.

Question 8

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 8

A double-helix formed by two sugar-phosphate backbones that run antiparallel.

Question 9

What is the sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids made from?

Answer 9

Repeated phosphate-sugar units.

Question 10

What are the ends of the nucleic acid backbone identified as?

Answer 10

5’ and 3’ ends.

Question 11

What is the difference between DNA and RNA backbones?

Answer 11

DNA has two sugar-phosphate backbones, while RNA has one.

Question 12

What are the pentose sugars found in nucleic acids?

Answer 12

Ribose and Deoxyribose

Question 13

What do nitrogenous bases contain?

Answer 13

Nitrogen atoms.

Question 14

How are nitrogenous bases classified?

Answer 14

As purine or pyrimidine.

Question 15

What is a gene?

Answer 15

A specific sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA nucleotides that codes for making a protein.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: The sequence of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids forms a code that stores information used to make _______.

Answer 16

proteins.

Question 17

True or False: The capacity of DNA to store information is limitless.

Answer 17

True.

Question 18

What role do hydrogen bonds play in DNA?

Answer 18

Allow easy separation of strands (for replication and protein synthesis)

Question 19

What is a significant characteristic of DNA as a molecule?

Answer 19

Large molecule - Carries vast amounts of information

Question 20

What structural feature of DNA provides protection from chemical and physical forces?

Answer 20

Helical cylinder

Question 21

What is the sugar component of DNA?

Answer 21

Deoxyribose

Question 22

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 22

Double-Stranded (Double Helix)

Question 23

Where is DNA primarily located in a cell?

Answer 23

In the nucleus

Question 24

What is the structure of RNA?

Answer 24

Single Stranded

Question 25

Which Pyrimidines do RNA use?

Answer 25

Cytosine and Uracil

Question 26

Where is RNA created and where does it go for protein synthesis?

Answer 26

Created in the nucleus then transported to Cytoplasm

Question 28

Which Pyrimidines do DNA use?

Answer 28

Cytosine and Thymine ## Footnote -

Question 29

Name the two Purines

Answer 29

Guanine and Adenine