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Biology 1113 > Biology 1113L: Lecture 5 (nucleic acids) > Flashcards

Biology 1113L: Lecture 5 (nucleic acids) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main types of nucleic acids?

A

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid).

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2
Q

What are the primary functions of DNA and RNA?

A

DNA: Storage and transmission of genetic information.
RNA: Protein synthesis and other diverse functions.

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3
Q

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

A

Nucleotides.

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4
Q

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

A

Phosphate group.
5-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose).
Nitrogenous base.

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5
Q

What is the difference between ribose and deoxyribose?

A

Deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom than ribose.

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6
Q

What are the nitrogenous bases, and how do they differ in DNA and RNA?

A

DNA: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T).
RNA: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Uracil (U).

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7
Q

What are purines and pyrimidines?

A

Purines: Larger bases (Adenine, Guanine).
Pyrimidines: Smaller bases (Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil).

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8
Q

What is an activated nucleotide?

A

A nucleotide with extra phosphate groups, increasing stored energy.

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9
Q

What is ATP, and why is it important?

A

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an activated nucleotide and the main energy source for cells.

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10
Q

How is energy stored in ATP?

A

In the bonds between its phosphate groups.

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11
Q

How is ATP regenerated?

A

By adding a phosphate group back to ADP.

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12
Q

What is the structure of DNA?

A

Two antiparallel strands forming a double helix.

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13
Q

What forms the backbone of DNA?

A

Alternating sugars (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups connected by phosphodiester linkages.

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14
Q

What stabilizes the DNA structure?

A

Hydrogen bonds between base pairs.
Base stacking.
Hydrophobic interactions of bases.

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15
Q

Which base pairs are complementary in DNA?

A

Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T).
Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C-G).

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16
Q

Why are A-T and C-G pairing important?

A

They ensure consistent DNA structure due to specific hydrogen bonding and size compatibility.

17
Q

How does RNA differ structurally from DNA?

A

RNA contains ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose.
Uracil replaces Thymine as a base.
RNA is usually single-stranded.

18
Q

What makes RNA less stable than DNA?

A

The hydroxyl (-OH) group in ribose is more reactive.

19
Q

How does RNA form structures?

A

By base pairing within the same strand, leading to diverse shapes.

20
Q

What are ribozymes?

A

RNA molecules that act as catalysts, similar to enzymes.

21
Q

What type of bond links nucleotides?

A

Phosphodiester linkage.

22
Q

What is the directionality of nucleic acids?

A

They are synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
New nucleotides are added to the 3’ end.

23
Q

What are the functional differences between DNA and RNA?

A

DNA: Long-term storage of genetic information.
RNA: Short-term messenger and functional roles like catalysis.

24
Q

What does DNA’s stability allow?

A

Reliable storage and replication of genetic information.

25
Q

How does RNA’s variability affect its function?

A

It allows RNA to perform multiple roles, including acting as a messenger, structural component, and catalyst.

26
Q

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

A

DNA → RNA → Proteins.

27
Q

What determines the function of a protein?

A

The sequence of amino acids, which is determined by the sequence of nucleotides in DNA.

28
Q

What happens if a DNA mutation affects a gene?

A

It can lead to a defective or missing enzyme, disrupting macromolecule synthesis.

29
Q

Why is DNA’s double helix structure critical?

A

It provides stability and allows accurate replication.

30
Q

Why is RNA more versatile than DNA?

A

Its single-stranded nature and structural diversity enable multiple functions.

Biology 1113 (8 decks)

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