More Biological Molecules - DNA and RNA Flashcards
DNA and RNA are both types of n______ a____.
They’re found in all l_____ c____
and both carry g______ i__________.
DNA and RNA are both types of nucleic acid.
They’re found in all living cells
and both carry genetic information.
What is the main function of RNA?
To transfer genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes,
which read the RNA to make polypeptides (proteins) in a process called translation.
Ribosomes themselves are made from RNA and proteins.
DNA and RNA are polymers of n__________.
DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides.
What is a nucleotide?
A biological molecule made from - a pentose sugar - a nitrogen-containing organic base - a phosphate group. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Nucleotides are really important -- they're the monomers that make up DNA and RNA.
What is the sugar called in DNA?
Deoxyribose.
Each DNA nucleotide has the same sugar and a phosphate group,
however the base on each nucleotide can vary.
What are the four possible bases in DNA?
Adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine.
What is the sugar called in RNA?
Ribose.
Each RNA nucleotide has the same sugar and a phosphate group,
however the base on each nucleotide can vary.
What are the four possible bases in RNA?
Adenine, uracil, cytosine and guanine.
Nucleotides join together to form p___________.
Nucleotides join together to form polynucleotides.
What is a polynucleotide?
How is it formed?
A polynucleotide is a polymer of nucleotides.
It is formed via a condensation reaction between
the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar of another.
This forms a phosphodiester bond
(consisting of the phosphate group and two ester bonds).
The chain of sugars and phosphates is known as the sugar-phosphate backbone.
Two differences between DNA and RNA?
RNA is shorter.
RNA is a single polynucleotide chain (DNA is double).
