DNA Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What is DNA?
Large and stable molecule
Where is DNA found?
Found as chromatin in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and small amounts are found in mitochondria and chloroplasts
What are the functions of DNA?
Carries the genetic code for protein synthesis
Replicates in dividing cells
What do the 2 polynucleotide strands twisted into in DNA?
Double helix
What do DNA nucleotides contain?
Deoxyribose pentose sugar
One of the four organic nitrogenous bases
What are the 4 organic nitrogenous bases in DNA?
Adenine
Guanine
Cytosine
Thymine
What is the term given to the 2 strands running in opposite directions?
Antiparallel
What is the 5 prime end?
When the phosphate group stick out
What is the 3 prime end?
Where the phosphate group doesn’t stick out (shorter)
What do the two sugar phosphate ‘backbones’ protect?
Genetic information stored within the sequence of bases
According to what rule, do the bases face each other within the double helix?
Complementary base pair rule
What bonds hold together the 2 sugar phosphate ‘backbones’?
Hydrogen bonds
What does guanine pair with?
Cytosine
What does adenine pair with?
Thymine
