BIOCHEM: NUCLEIC ACID Flashcards
What are the molecules that is responsible for the storage and transfer of genetic information.
Nucleic acids
Who discovered nucleic acids and when?
Friedrich Miescher discovered nucleic acids in 1869.
What are the two types of nucleic acids found in higher organisms?
The two types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Where is most DNA found in a cell?
within the cell nucleus.
What is the primary function of DNA?
storage and transfer of genetic information.
What is the primary function of RNA?
synthesis of proteins.
What are nucleotides?
Nucleotides are the monomer units that make up nucleic acids.
What is the structural distinction between DNA and RNA?
DNA and RNA have different structural properties, which are essential for their functions.
What remarkable property do living cells have?
Living cells have the ability to produce exact replicas of themselves.
What is the significance of nucleic acids in cell division?
Nucleic acids are passed from existing cells to new cells during cell division.
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides.
What are the three subunits of a nucleotide?
A nucleotide consists of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic base.
How are the atoms in the pentose and nitrogen-containing base subunits of a nucleotide numbered?
Pentose ring atoms are designated with primed numbers, and nitrogen-containing base ring atoms are designated with unprimed numbers.
What are the two types of pentose sugars found in nucleotides?
The two types of pentose sugars are ribose and 2’-deoxyribose.
What is the structural difference between ribose and 2’-deoxyribose?
The only difference is at carbon 2’: ribose has an -OH group, while 2’-deoxyribose has a -H atom.
What does RNA stand for and what sugar does it contain?
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid and contains ribose sugar.
What does DNA stand for and what sugar does it contain?
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and contains 2’-deoxyribose sugar.
What are the five nitrogen-containing heterocyclic bases in nucleotides?
The five bases are thymine (T), cytosine (C), uracil (U), and two purine derivatives.
What are the three pyrimidine derivatives found in nucleotides?
The three pyrimidine derivatives are thymine (T), cytosine (C), and uracil (U).
What are the chemical structures of thymine, cytosine, and uracil?
Thymine is the 5-methyl-2,4-dioxo derivative, cytosine is the 4-amino-2-oxo derivative, and uracil is the 2,4-dioxo derivative of pyrimidine.
What are the two purine bases found in nucleotides?
Adenine (A) and Guanine (G)
Remember with the phrase ‘pure silver’ (Ag) for purines.
What are the three pyrimidine bases found in nucleotides?
Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U)
How many possible RNA nucleotides are there?
Four possible RNA nucleotides: A, C, G, or U.
How many possible DNA nucleotides are there?
Four possible DNA nucleotides: A, C, G, or T.
