DNA and RNA Flashcards
what are DNA and RNA both types of
nucleic acids
where are DNA and RNA found and what do they do
found in all living cells and carry information
what does DNA stand for
deoxyribonucleic acid
what is DNA used for
used to store your genetic information which helps you to grow and develop
what does RNA stand for
ribonucleic acid
what is RNA’s function
transfer genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes
what makes a nucleotide
a phosphate group, pentose sugar and a nitrogen-containing base
how do you get a polynucleotide structure?
when nucleotides join together via condensation reactions a bond forms between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and sugar of another
what is the chain of sugars and phosphates called?
sugar phosphate backbone
describe DNA structure
double helix, two separate strands wind around each other to form a spiral
describe what a DNA molecule is like
long and are coiled up very tightly so genetic information can fit into a small space in the cell’s nucleus
what is the sugar in DNA called
deoxyribose
what are the four complementary base pairs and what are the pairings
adenine and thymine
cytosine and guanine
what bonds form between complementary base pairs
hydrogen bonds
what is it called when a base can only join with one particular partner
complementary base pairing
how many hydrogen bonds form between adenine and thymine
2
how many hydrogen bonds form between cytosine and guanine
3
are the stands in a DNA molecule parallel or antiparallel
antiparallel
what is the sugar in RNA
ribose
what base is thymine swapped with
uracil
what does uracil pair with
adenine
are RNA strands longer or shorter than DNA strands
shorter
do the nucleotides form a single of double polynucleotide strand in RNA
single
compare DNA and RNA
DNA is double stranded into a double helix structure and held together by hydrogen bonds whereas RNA is single stranded
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose sugar but in RNA it is ribose
the bases in DNA are adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine however in RNA they are uracil, adenine, cytosine, guanine
DNA is longer than RNA , RNA is shorter than DNA
