Biological Molecules: Nucleic Acids: Basics (Dr.A) Flashcards
What is meant by the term COMPLEMENTARY BASE PAIRS?
-Specific rules for how BASES PAIR together
-A pairs with T/U with 2 H-BONDS
-C pairs with G with 3 H-BONDS
What is COMPLEMENTARY DNA?
-DNA made from MESSEGNER RNA
-In a process that is the REVERSE of normal TRANSCRIPTION
What is DNA?
-DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
-Present in nearly ALL LIVING ORGANISMS
-Carrier of GENETIC INFORMATION
What is DNA HELICASE?
-An ENZYME that acts on a SPECIFIC region of a DNA MOLECULE
-BREAKS H-BONDS between BASES
-Causing 2 strands to SEPARATE and EXPOSES nucleotide bases in that region
What is DNA POLYMERASE?
-ENZYME that joins DNA NUCLEOTIDES together in a COND. REACTION
-Forms PHOSPHODIESTER BONDS
-Occurs during DNA REPLICATION
What is meant by the term DOUBLE HELIX?
-STRUCTURE of DNA
-Made up of 2 strands of NUCLEOTIDES running in OPPOSITE directions
What are NUCLEOTIDES?
-Complex CHEMICALS that are the basic units of which NUCELIC ACIDS like DNA & RNA are made
-Made up of: ORGANIC BASE, PHOSPHATE GROUP, and a SUGAR
What is an ORGANIC BASE?
-A component of a NUCLEOTIDE
-ADENINE, THYMINE/URACIL, CYTOSINE, GUANINE
What is a PHOSPHODIESTER BOND?
-Bond formed during COND. REACTIONS
-Occurs between the P-GROUP of 1 nucleotide and the PENTOSE SUGAR of another
What is the FUNCTION of an mRNA MOLECULE?
CODE for a PROTEIN(s)
What is the FUNCTION of a tRNA MOLECULE?
Delivers AA’s to mRNA-RIBOSOME COMPLEX during TRANSLATION
What is the FUNVTION of a rRNA MOLECULE?
Involved in FORMATION of RIBOSOMES
What is meant by the term SEMI-CONSERVATIVE?
-HALF of the STRANDS in each new DNA MOLECULE is from the ORGINAL DNA MOLECULE
What is meant by the term CONSERVATIVE?
New DOUBLE-HELIX is comprised of 2 PARENTAL/OLD DNA STRANDS
What is meant by the term DISPERSIVE?
Genetic material from the 2 PARENTAL DNA STRANDS is DISTRIBUTED RANDOMLY between 2 DAUGHTER DNA MOLECULES
