DNA Flashcards
Draw an adenine nucleotide.
Draw a thymine nucleotide.
Draw a cytosine nucleotide.
Draw a guanine nucleotide.
Draw a phosphodiester bond between two nucleotides.
Draw the hydrogen bonds between guanine and cytosine nucleotides.
Draw the hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine nucleotides.
What is the structure of DNA?
DNA is made up of two polynucleotide chains wrapped in a double helix. The nucleotides in each strand are held together by covalent bonds and form the sugar-phosphate backbone. The two stands are held together by hydrogen bonds between the bases. Adenine and thymine form 2 hydrogen bonds and cytosine and guanine form 3.
Draw the structure of cisplatin.
Draw the reaction of cisplatin with two guanine nucleotides.
How does cisplatin stop the replication of cancer cells?
The cisplatin binds with the nucleotides and causes the DNA strands to kink meaning uncoil so DNA replication can occur. This causes the cells to die.
What are the disadvantages of using cisplatin?
They bind onto healthy DNA meaning that healthy cells like hair cells can’t grow and that leads to things like hair loss.
Why is cisplatin still used to treat cancer if it has side effects like hair loss?
The long-term health benefits outweigh the short-term side effects in terms of importance.
