Module 2.3: Nucleic Acids

Question 1

DNA

Answer 1

Encodes all the information needed to create life’s diversity

Question 2

Genome

Answer 2

Complete genetic instructuions of an organism

Question 3

IMPORTANT*

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

4 Main Functions

Answer 3

1. Deliver info from DNA to sites of protein synthesis
2. Buiild the ribosome
3. Regulate gene expression
4. Ribozymes

Question 4

Ribozymes

Answer 4

An RNA molecule capable of acting as an enzyme. Catalyst.

Question 5

RNA in protein synthesis:

Answer 5

mRNA, tRNA, rRNA

Question 6

Non-coding RNA

Answer 6

Complex regulatory roles in cells

Question 7

Monomers of Nucleic Acids

Answer 7

Nucleotide

Question 8

Nucleotide groups:

Answer 8

1. Phosphate Group
2. Sugar
3. Nitrogenous base

Question 9

Nucleotide Bases:

Answer 9

1. Purines
2. Pyrimidines

Question 10

IMPORTANT*

Purines

Answer 10

• Two ring structures fused together
• Adenine, Guanine: AG

Question 11

IMPORTANT*

Pyrimidines

Answer 11

• Single carbon ring structure
• In DNA: Cytosine, Thymine: CT
• In RNA: Cytosine, Uracil: CU

Question 12

IMPORTANT*

Distinction in nucleotides between DNA and RNA

NEED to know difference between DNA and RNA nucleotides

Answer 12

Carbon 2 prime in sugar has different functional groups:
1. OH in RNA
2. H in DNA

Question 13

Carbon names in nucleotides:

Answer 13

1. Sugar: Carbon prime
2. Nitrogenous Base: Carbon

Question 14

IMPORTANT*

Phosphodiester Bonds

Answer 14

Connects nucleotide monomers in Polynucleotides.
* Bonds along a sugar-phosphate backbone
* Between sugar of first nucleotide and phosphate group of second

Question 15

IMPORTANT*

Phosphodiester Bonds and Carbon prime

Answer 15

Connects to 5’ carbon on one sugar with the 3’ carbon on next sugar
* 5’ to 3’ direction

Question 16

Rosalind Franklin

Answer 16

Discovered the structure of DNA (double-helix)

Question 17

Backbone of DNA

Answer 17

Outside of helix

Question 18

Bases

Answer 18

Inside of helix

Question 19

Pyrimidine vs. Purine

Answer 19

• T to A: 2 Hydrogen Bonds
• C to G: 3 Hydrogen Bonds

Question 20

Helix is anti-parallel

Answer 20

One strand (backbone) is going from 5’ to 3’. Other strand is going in opposite direction.

Question 21

Different conformations

Answer 21

• A-DNA: result of dehydration.
• Z-DNA: backbone folds clunkily. Folds towards the right.

Question 22

IMPORTANT***

RNA interaction differences from DNA:

Answer 22

RNA is able to interact in more ways than traditional A to T and C to G.
* More shapes than DNA

Question 23

rNAS build the ribosome.

Answer 23

Functional ribosome made up of small and large subunits.

Question 24

SSU small subunit

Answer 24

16 S rRNA + ribosomal proteins

Question 25

LSU large subunit

Answer 25

23 S rRNA + 5 S rRNA + ribosomal proteins