Chapter 4.1.1 (Exam 3) Nucleic Acids Flashcards
Nucleic Acids Informational Macromolecules
What are nucleic acids?
Macromolecular polymers is specialized for storage, transmission, and use of genetic information
What are the two types of nucleic acids?
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid
RNA = ribonucleic acid
What are the monomers of nucleic acids?
nucleotides
What is a nucleotide?
pentose sugar + nitrogenous base + phosphate group
What is a nucleoside?
pentose sugar + nitrogenous base
What are the differences between DNA and RNA?
DNA has deoxyribose, RNA has ribose
They also differ in bases and the number of strands
What are the two forms of nitrogenous bases?
Pyrimidines—single ring
Purines—fused double-rings
What is the chemical linkage between nucleotides?
Nucleotides are linked by phosphodiester bonds
Which group is present on the 5’ end of a nucleotide? The 3’ end?
5’, phosphate group
3’, hydroxyl group
Describe phosphodiester bonds and the growth of nucleic acids.
Phosphodiester bonds are formed by condensation reactions.
Phosphate groups link the 3’ carbon in one sugar to the 5’ carbon in another sugar
Nucleic acids grow in the 5’-to-3’ direction
