DNA Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine
What are the four nitrogenous bases found in RNA?
Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, Cytosine
What type of bond holds the nitrogenous bases together in DNA?
Hydrogen bond
What is the structure of DNA often described as?
Double helix
What is the sugar component in DNA?
Deoxyribose
What is the purpose of proofreading by DNA polymerase during replication?
To correct errors in nucleotide sequence
What is the overall result of DNA replication?
Two identical DNA molecules
During DNA replication, what enzyme is responsible for unwinding the double helix?
Helicase
Function of DNA helicase?
break Hydrogen bonds between bases
What is the role of DNA in protein synthesis?
DNA contains the genetic information that determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins
What is the function of mRNA in protein synthesis?
To carry the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis
What is the function of tRNA in protein synthesis?
To bring amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis
What are the short pieces of DNA made on the lagging strand called?
Okazaki fragments
What enzyme is responsible for adding complementary nucleotides during DNA replication?
DNA polymerase
What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
To catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids
What is a codon?
A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid
What is an anticodon?
A three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that is complementary to a codon on mRNA
What is the start codon in protein synthesis?
AUG (methionine)
What is the role of primase in DNA replication?
To synthesize RNA primers for DNA polymerase to start replication
What is the purpose of DNA ligase during replication?
To join Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand
What is the function of the lagging strand during DNA replication?
To synthesize discontinuously in short Okazaki fragments