DNA/RNA Flashcards
What is DNA and what does it do ?
‘Deoxyribonucleic acid’.
It stores, replicates and passes on genetic information.
What is the structure of DNA?
It is a double stranded helix.
What components make up a DNA nucleotide?
- Pentose sugar
- Phosphate group
- Nitrogen base
What are the 4 DNA bases?
- Adenine
- Thymine
- Cytosine
- Guanine
What is RNA?
‘Ribonuceic acid’.
What is the structure of RNA?
It is single stranded.
What are the 4 bases of RNA?
- Adenine
- Uracil
- Cytosine
- Guanine
What is the difference between RNA and DNA?
- DNA forms a helix and RNA does not.
- RNA is shorter than DNA.
- RNA has a uracil base while DNA does not.
- DNA has a thymine base while RNA does not.
What does a nucleotide look like?
[Phosphate] [Nitrogenous base]
\ /
[Sugar]
- A phosphate is represented as a circle, containing a P.
_ A sugar and nitrogenous base are represented as pentagons.
What do nucleotides make?
It is the basic building block of a nucleic acid.
What do nucleic acids make?
They are monomers of DNA.
How do you join nucleic acids?
Through a condensation reaction, when a water molecule is lost.
A phosphodiester bond forms between a phosphate group one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group on the next.
Identify this base and its structure.
NH2 | C // \ N C --- N | || \\ | || C --- H | || / C C --- N / \\ / | H N H
- Adenine.
- Double ring structure.
Identify this base and its structure.
O || H C \ / \ N C --- N | || \\ | || C --- H | || / C C --- N / \\ / | H2N N H
- Guanine.
- Double ring structure.
Identify this base and its structure.
NH2 | C // \ N C --- H | || | || | || C C --- H // \ / O N | H
- Cytosine.
- Pyrimidine structure.