Final Flashcards
1
Q
Nucleic acids
A
- linear polymers of nucleotides that function in the storage and expression of genetic information and its transfer from one generation to the next
2
Q
Phosphodiester bonds
A
- link between the two monomers/nucleotides
3
Q
Two Categories of Heterolytic/Nitrogenous Bases
A
- Purines
2. Pyrimidines
4
Q
Purines
A
- Adenine and Guanine
- 2 fused rings: a 6 membered and 5 membered heterocyclic C and N rings fused together
5
Q
Pyrimidines
A
- Cytosine, Thymine and Uracil
- single 6 membered heterocyclic rings of C and N
6
Q
Nucleoside
A
- nitrogenous bases attached to sugars via Beta 1-N glycosidic bond
- rotation about glycosidic bond is possible, resulting in syn or anti configuration (anti is favored!)
- pyrimidines can’t form syn configuration because of steric hindrance
7
Q
Nucleotide
A
Contains
- Phosphate Group
- Sugar
- Nitrogenous Base
8
Q
Primary nucleotide structure
A
- this structure is the nucleotide sequence
- read 5’ to 3’
9
Q
Secondary Nucleotide Structure
A
- this structure is the 3D arrangement of nucleotide residues
- short-term folding interactions
- only DNA because RNA is single stranded
10
Q
Tertiary Nucleotide Structure
A
- this structure is the longer range 3D interactions between proteins and DNA
- superhelixes forms, cruciforms, etc.
- Sugar-phosphates form the backbone
- DNA has a “rise” one base pair to another is the rise
11
Q
B-DNA
A
- this DNA form is seen in DNA fibers prepared under high humidity (PREDOMINANT FORM)
- double helix
- individual helixes form major and minor grooves
- right handed helix
- watson and crick described this
12
Q
A-DNA
A
- dsRNA forms this and DNA-RNA hybrids
- right-handed helix
- shorter than B form (more compact)
- bases lie farther outside of axis
- major and minor grooves are equal in width
13
Q
Z-DNA
A
- left handed helix
- longer than B form
- pyrimidines are anti and purines are syn
14
Q
cruciform DNA
A
- cross-like DNA structures formed when DNA contains a PALINDROME
- palindromic sequences form a double hairpin
- involved in protein binding to DNA
- serves as recognition sites for restriction enzyme
15
Q
triple helix DNA
A
- usually unstable DNA form
- forms from partially unwound duplex DNA under “super-helical” state
- third strand occupies major groove
- possible role in crossing over
16
Q
super-coiled DNA
A
- DNA + protein coiled on itself several times
- functions: compacts DNA to occupy less space
- inactive (prevents replication and transcription)
- protects DNA when not replicated or transcribed