Nucleic Acid Functions

Question 1

What are the Nucleic Acid Functions?

Answer 1

1. Determine what characteristics livings things have.
2. Direct protein synthesis within the cell.
3. Energy carrier within the cell.

Question 2

Nucleic Acid Structure

Answer 2

• Monomer is called a nucleotied
• Made up of phospate sugar, and nirtogenous base.

Question 3

Nucleic Acids in DNA

Answer 3

Polymer can B:
- RNA - ribonucleic acid
–> single strand of nucleotides
–> each nt contains ribose sugars

• DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid
  –> double stranded nucleotides
  –> each nt contains deoxyribonucleic acid

Question 4

4 diff nucleotides…

Answer 4

DNA - adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine.
RNA - adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil.

Question 5

Viruses do not fit into the kingdom system if…

Answer 5

• they show few characteristics of living cells
• they need to be in living cells (host) to survive and reproduce

Question 6

Charateristics of livings things:

Answer 6

1. reproduction
2. growth
3. metabolism
4. DEATH
5. Adaptation
6. Response to stimuli
7. Locomotion

Question 7

General features of a virus

Answer 7

• Very small, 20 to 400 nm in size
• Consist of an inner nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) core
• Comes in various shapes

Question 8

Structure of a virus

Answer 8

Core: Nucleic Acid (RNA or DNA) –> Genome
Shell: Protein coat –> Casid

Question 9

Metric Units

Question 10

Virus’s specificity

Answer 10

• Each virus has a specific group of host that is can infect.
• This is called the host range.
• Host range can B broad or very narrow.

Recall: “Spikes” –> help a virus attach to host cells.

Question 11

The reproduction Cycle of a Virus:

Answer 11

1. Attachment/ Entrance

Question 12

Attachment/ Entrance

Answer 12

• Virus is in contact w host cell
• The v is taken in by phagocytosis or the v injects genome into cell.
• The v releases DNA or RNA into the cell.

Question 13

Synthesis

Answer 13

• The DNA or RNA takes over the protein cat synthesis of the cell.
  –> The v uses the cell’s materials (ATP, enzymes, can cell parts) to replicate it’s own nucleic acid (genome and make new protein coats.

Question 14

Assembly

Answer 14

Viruses assemble:
(nucleic acids + protein coats combine)

Question 15

Release

Answer 15

Virus R realized from the cell.
(Release of many v ruptures the cell membrane, causing death – lysis)

Question 16

Types of Replication cycles

Answer 16

Lytic cycle - V infects host n makes more v
Lysogenic cycle - v coexist w cell (v remains dormant)

Question 17

Explain the Lytic cycle

Question 18

Explain the Lysogenic cycle

Question 19

Types of v

Answer 19

1. DNA v
2. RNA v
   —> subgroup of RNA v is called retroviruses

Question 20

What is the DNA V all about and their examples?

Answer 20

• Genome is double stranded
  –> Mutations R minimal
  –> it maintains its identity!
• Therefore, ur immune system will always recognize the V
• Can carry out Lysogenic cycle
  – it remains dormant in the nucleus of host cell.

Examples:
1. Human Papilloma V
–> Warts, development of cancer (ie cervical)

2. Herpes V
   –> cold sores
3. Varicella-Zoster V
   –> Chicken Pox
4. Epstein- barr V
   –> Mononucleosis

Question 21

What is RNA V about and what are their examples?

Answer 21

• Genome is single stranded
  –> mutation can B a permanent change
• Therefore, UR immune system may not recognize the new mutated V
  –> New anti-bodies need to B made
• Can NOT carry out Lysogenic cycle
  –> This would need DNA to remain dormant in the nucleus of the host cell.

Examples:
1. Rhinoviruses (common cold)
–> Infect respiratory system

2. Influenza (The Flu)
   –> Infects cells of the respiratory tract
3. Rotavirus (stomach Flu)
   –> Gastrointestinal problems
   –> such as severe diarrhea

Question 22

What is Subgroup: Retrovirus about and what are their examples?

Answer 22

Contain and enzyme (reverse transcriptase) that allow them to convert their RNA to DNA.
–> Therefore, able to carry out the Lysogenetic cycle

• Can mutate + lay dormant within host cell
  –> therefore, R more dangerous than some DNA v + non - retro RNA V.

Examples:
1. Human Immunodeficiency V (HV)
–> infects T-cells of the immune system.

2. Hepatitis B
   –> infects liver cells.

Question 23

Viruses n human health?

Answer 23

• Many diseases R caused by V
• Destructions of host cells causes by symptoms of disease.
• Vaccines R used to prevent many viral infections.

Question 24

What is a Vaccine?

Answer 24

• Vaccines contain non-infectious virus particles.
• This causes the body to react and make antibodies against the v.
• The body is now ready to fight infection by the REAL v!

Question 25

Viruses n human health?

Answer 25

• Many diseases R caused by V
• Destructions of host cells causes by symptoms of disease.
• Vaccines R used to prvent many viral infections.

Question 26

Are vaccines important?

Answer 26

• Create a “wall” against V
• Breaks the path of transmission:
  –> V is unable to infect cells
  –> V is unable to make copies of itself
• Therefore, V is unable to infect other hosts

Question 27

What is a herd immunity?

Answer 27

• If most people of a populated area get vaccinated, then individuals unable to get the shot R also protected!!! = PROBLEM parents R not choosing to vaccinate their kids due to “fears”.

Question 28

What do antibiotics do?

Answer 28

• They do not kill V!!!
• Antibiotics target organelles…
  –> DO NOT KILL V!!!!!!!

Question 29

ANTI - Viral Drugs: How do they work?

Answer 29

Actions:
1. Prevent attachment to host cell.
2. Block entry into host cell.

Question 30

viruses n Biotechnology

Answer 30

• useful tools 4 genetic engineering
  –> can B used to transport a “gene of interest” into a host’s cells genome.