DNA: The Code of Life (P2 - 18%) Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid.
What does RNA stand for?
Ribonucleic acid.
What is DNA made up of?
Nucleotides.
What are nucleotides made up of?
3 things
- Phosphate
- Deoxyribose sugar (sugar portion)
- Nitrogenous base
Where is DNA found?
3 places
- Nucleus: Nuclear DNA
- Mitochondria: Mitochondrial DNA
- Chloroplasts: Chloroplastic DNA
What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?
- Adenine
- Guanine
- Cytosine
- Thymine
What are nitrogenous bases held together with?
Weak hydrogen bonds.
What structure/shape is a DNA molecule?
It is a ladder-like structure that twists and forms a double helix.
What does DNA contain?
2 things
DNA contains:
1) information that determines inherited characteristics
2) it has the code for making proteins
What is the function of DNA?
2 things
1) Nuclear DNA controls synthesis of proteins. Since enzymes are proteins it also controls the synthesis of enzymes.
2) Nuclear DNA transmits hereditary characteristics from parents to offspring.
What are genes?
Genes are small sections of DNA that carry genetic code for formation of particular characteristics of particular proteins.
What is non-coding DNA?
These are sections of DNA that that don’t carry any codes.
Where is RNA found?
3 things
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): in ribosomes in the cytoplasm of cells.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): in nucleus but moves out and attaches to ribosomes.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA): in the cytoplasm.
What is the function of RNA?
Protein synthesis
What are the four nitrogenous bases in RNA?
- Adenine
- Guanine
- Cytosine
- Uracil