DNA Structure Flashcards
Genes are made up of a long molecule called ___
DNA
is made up of simple units that line up in a particular order within its large molecule
DNA
language used by DNA is called
geentic code
is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms
deoxyribonucleic acid
draw DNA structure
+1
main role of DNA
long term storage of information
DNA is used to construct other components of cells such as
proteins
RNA
DNA segments that carry genetic information are called
genes
other DNA sequences that do not carry genetic information have what purposes
structural purposes
regulate use of genetic information
DNA cosnsist of two long polyemers of simple units called
nucleotides
DNA backbone is made up of ___ and ___
sugars and phosphate groups
bond joining sugar and phosphate group in DNA
phosphodiester bond
two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore ____
anti-parallel
attached to each sugar is one of the four types of molecules called ___
bases
the structure of DNA was first discovered by ___ and ___
James D. Watson
Francis Crick
size of DNA strand (pitch and radius)
34 angstroms (3.4 nanometers)
10 angstroms (1.0 nanometers)
what are the three components that make up a nucleotide?
phosphate group
pentose sugar
nitrogenous base
- This provides the molecule’s acidic properties and participates in linking nucleotides together to form long chains.
phosphate group
A five-carbon sugar, which is either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA), distinguishes the two types of nucleic acids.
pentose sugar
pentose sugar can be:
ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA)
A nitrogen-containing molecule that comes in four types: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T) in DNA, or uracil (U) replacing thymine in RNA.
nitrogenous base
nitrogenous bases in DNA are
adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T)
nitrogenous base in RNA
adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U)
the “backbone” of the DNA molecule is made up of two alternating components, what are these?
deoxyribose sugar
phosphate group