Intro to biochem Flashcards
Classes of nucleic acids found in cells
Ribonucleic - 90%
Deoxyribonhuycleic - 10%
Classes of RNA
rRNA - 80%
tRNA - 15%
mRNA - 5%
Functions of DNA
Repositiry of genetic info
Directs its own replication
Directs transcription of complimentary molecules of mRNA
Function of mRNA
Carriers of genetic info
Directs translation of genetic info into proteins
Function of tRNA
Translator of genetic info
Delivers AA during protein synthesis
Function of rRNA
Components of ribosomes
Have structural and functional roles
Purine bases
Adenine
Guanine
Pyrimidine bases
Cytosine
Thymine
Uracil
Nucleoside of adenine
Adenosine
Nuceloside of guanine
Guanosine
Nucleoside of cytosine
Cytidine
Nucleoside of thymine
Thymidine
Nucleoside of uracil
Uridine
How to read nucleic acids
5’ to 3’
Watson - Crick base pairing
A and T form 2 hydrogen bonds
G & C form 3 hydrogen bonds and are more stable
Structure of B-DNA
Double stranded alpha-helix One full turn contains 10 base pairs Width of molecule is 2nm Contains major and minor groove Distance between 2 base plates - 0.34 nm Base pairs are orientated to the right angle of the helix
DNA replication process
DNA Helicase separates parental strand into leading strand and lagging strand
DNA primase and RNA primers re used by DNA polymerase as starting points for replication
Leading strand (5’ to 3’) is replicated in a continuous fashion but the lagging strand is unable to - Okazaki fragnments
RNA primers are removed by exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase and are replaced w/ DNA
DNA Ligase seals fragments to complete synthesis of lagging strand
Length of Okazaki fragments
1,000 to 5,000 bases
Antiviral chemotherapeutic agents
Analogue nucleosides are phosphorylated at 5’ carbon –> triphosphate analogue. Reverse transcriptase then incorporates these into the viral genome and this blocks DNA synthesis –> no more chain elongation
Why is DNA synthesis is blocked in antiviral chemotherapeutic agents
Analogues don’t have hydroxyl groups at 3’ and other atoms/ groups instead