Chapter 3.3: Nucleic Acids: Information Molecules Flashcards
Define deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
the genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotides wound in double helix
What is the genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotides wound in double helix?
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Define ribonucleic acid (RNA)
a class of nucleic acids characterized by the presence of the sugar ribose and the pyrimidine uracil
What is a class of nucleic acids characterized by the presence of the sugar ribose and the pyrimidine uracil?
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Define messenger RNA (mRNA)
the RNA transcribed from structural genes; RNA molecules complementary to a portion of one strand of DNA, which are translated by the ribosomes to form proteins
What is the RNA transcribed from structural genes; RNA molecules complementary to a portion of one strand of DNA, which are translated by the ribosomes to form proteins?
messenger RNA (mRNA)
Define nucleotide
a single unit of nucleic acid, composed of a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), and a purine or a pyrimidine
What is a single unit of nucleic acid, composed of a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), and a purine or a pyrimidine?
nucleotide
Define purines
large double-ring molecules that are each found in both DNA and RNA
What are the two purines?
adenine and guanine
Define pyrimidines
single-ring molecules
What are the three pyrimidines?
Cytosine (C, in both DNA and RNA), thymine (T, in DNA only), and uracil (U, in RNA only)
How are DNA molecules organized in eukaryotes?
two chains wrapped about each other in a long linear molecule
How are DNA molecules organized in prokaryotes?
circular molecule
Define double helix
the structure of DNA, in which two complementary polynucleoide strands coil around a common helical axis
What is the structure of DNA, in which two complementary polynucleoide strands coil around a common helical axis?
double helix
Define complementary in terms of DNA
describes genetic information in which each nucleotide base has a complementary partner with which it forms a base-pair
What describes genetic information in which each nucleotide base has a complementary partner with which it forms a base-pair?
complemetary
What does adenine pair with?
thymine (DNA) and uracil (RNA)
What does cytosine pair with?
guanine
What does thymine pair with?
adenine
What does uracil pair with?
adenine
What does guanine pair with?
cytosine
How many hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine/uracil?
2 hydrogen bonds
How many hydrogen bonds between cytosine and guanine?
3 hydrogen bonds
Define ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
)- a class of RNA molecules found, together with characteristic proteins, in ribosomes; transcribed from the DNA of the nucleus
What is )- a class of RNA molecules found, together with characteristic proteins, in ribosomes; transcribed from the DNA of the nucleus?
ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Define transfer RNA (tRNA)
a class of small RNAs (about 80 nucleotides) with two functional sites; at one site, an activating enzyme” adds a specific amino acid, while the other site carries the nucleotide triplet (anticodon) specific for that amino acid
WHat is a class of small RNAs (about 80 nucleotides) with two functional sites; at one site, an activating enzyme” adds a specific amino acid, while the other site carries the nucleotide triplet (anticodon) specific for that amino acid?
transfer RNA (tRNA)
Define adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
a nucleotide consisting of adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups; ATP is the energy currency of cellular metabolism in all organisms
What is a nucleotide consisting of adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups; ATP is the energy currency of cellular metabolism in all organisms?
o Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
Define o Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)
a molecule that becomes reduced (to NADH) as it carries high-energy electrons from oxidized molecules and delivers them to ATP-producing pathways in the cell
What is a molecule that becomes reduced (to NADH) as it carries high-energy electrons from oxidized molecules and delivers them to ATP-producing pathways in the cell?
o Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)
Define o Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD, FADH2)
a cofactor that acts as a soluble (not membrane-bound) electron carrier (can be reversibly oxidized and reduced)
What is a cofactor that acts as a soluble (not membrane-bound) electron carrier (can be reversibly oxidized and reduced)?
o Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD, FADH2)
