nucleic acid

Question 1

Complementary base pairing

Answer 1

Describes which nucleotides can form hydrogen bonds with each other. C pairs with G, A pairs with T (or U in RNA).

Question 2

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Answer 2

A double-stranded nucleic acid chain made up of nucleotides. DNA carries the instructions for proteins which are required for cell and organism survival.

Question 3

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer 3

RNA molecules that are produced during transcription and carry genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes.

Question 4

Nucleic acid

Answer 4

The class of macromolecule that includes DNA and RNA. All nucleic acids are polymers made out of nucleotide monomers.

Question 5

Nucleotide

Answer 5

The monomer subunit of nucleic acids. Made up of a nitrogen-containing base, a five-carbon sugar molecule (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and a phosphate group.

Question 6

Phosphodieseter bond

Answer 6

A strong covalent bond linking a five-carbon sugar to a phosphate group.

Question 7

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Answer 7

RNA that is a key structural component of ribosomes, which assemble proteins.

Question 8

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Answer 8

A single-stranded nucleic acid chain made up of nucleotides. Includes mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.

Question 9

Sugar-phosphate backbone

Answer 9

A strong covalently linked chain of five-carbon sugar molecules and phosphate groups in a nucleic acid chain.