De oxy ribo Nucleic Acid Flashcards
What is a DNA strand compared to?
A ladder
The structure of DNA resembles a ladder with supports and rungs.
What makes up the supports of the DNA ladder?
Phosphate and sugar
These components form the backbone of the DNA structure.
How many nitrogen bases are there?
Four
The four nitrogen bases are essential for DNA structure.
What are the three parts of a nucleotide?
- Sugar
- Phosphate
- One nitrogen base
A nucleotide is the basic building block of DNA.
What is a base pair?
Two nitrogen bases attached together
A base pair consists of one purine and one pyrimidine.
What type of bond connects a purine and a pyrimidine?
Hydrogen bond
This bond is crucial for the stability of the DNA structure.
Which purine does Adenine attach to?
Thymine
Adenine is a purine that pairs specifically with thymine.
Which purine does Guanine attach to?
Cytosine
Guanine is a purine that pairs specifically with cytosine.
What is the significance of DNA in terms of identity?
It is organic memory
DNA contains the information that defines an organism’s traits.
What is the estimated length of DNA if all the DNA in the body is assembled into a chain?
Over 60 billion miles long
This illustrates the vast amount of DNA present in the human body.
Fill in the blank: A nucleotide is essentially _____ of the DNA ladder split halfway at the rung.
1/2
This highlights the structural role of nucleotides in DNA.
What are the components of the ribose and phosphate backbone?
- 5 carbon sugar ribose
- Phosphate
These components alternate to form the backbone of DNA.
