L6: DNA as genetic material Flashcards
What was DNA discovered as in 1869?
Nuclein
What are the 4 bases in DNA?
Adenine
Thymine
Guanine
Cytosine
Define nucleotide
A molecule that is the building block of DNA/RNA
Define polynucleotide
Combination of nucleotide monomers which are connected through covalent bonds
Which bases are purines?
Adenine & Guanine
Which bases are pyrimidines?
Thymine & Cytosine
Structure of DNA
Right-handed double helix composed of 2 antiparallel sugar-phosphate ‘backbone’
How many hydrogens bond between A-T?
2
Where are the nitrogenous bases pair on the helix?
Inside
How many hydrogen bonds between C-G?
3
What is the direction of DNA backbone?
5’ to 3’
How can hydrogen bonds be disrupted?
Heat or chemicals
When does the major groove in DNA occur?
When backbones are far apart
When does the minor groove in DNA occur?
When they are close together
What is the major groove like in an RNA molecule?
Narrow & deep