DNA Structure Flashcards
Name the parts of a DNA nucleotide
Phosphate, deoxyribose sugar and nitrogenous base
What is the function of DNA?
Holds genetic information
Name the type of bond that links phosphate and deoxyribose molecules in the DNA backbone
Phosphodiester
How many polynucleotide strands does DNA consist of?
Two
DNA polynucleotide strands run in an anti-parallel direction to each other. What does this mean?
Strands run in opposite directions
Which base pairs with cytosine?
Guanine
Which base pairs with adenine in DNA?
Thymine
What type of bond is found between base pairs?
Hydrogen bonds
Name the four bases found in DNA
Guanine, cytosine, adenine, thymine
If a DNA molecule contains 15% guanine what % would be adenine bases?
35%
What two factors make DNA a stable structure?
- Phosphodiester bonds between deoxyribose and phosphate in the backbone
- Many hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs
Why are hydrogen bonds an advantage during DNA replication?
Hydrogen bonds are weak and easily broken
Why does guanine not base pair with adenine?
They are both purine bases and so would increase the width of DNA
If the base sequence on one polynucleotide strand is AGTCGATGC, what would the base sequence be on the complementary strand?
TCAGCTACG
How does prokaryotic DNA differ from eukaryotic DNA?
Prokaryotic DNA is circular and shorter than eukaryotic DNA. It is found free in the cytoplasm
