Nucleic Acids Flashcards

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1
Q

The two classes of nucleic acids are __ and __.

A

DNA and RNA

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2
Q

What macromolecule is used for the storage of genetic information in cells?

A

DNA

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3
Q

What are the monomers of nucleic acids?

A

Nucleotides

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4
Q

What are the three basic components of a nucleotide?

A

sugar

base

phosphate group

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5
Q

Bases found in nucleotides consist of a double or single ring of __ and __ atoms.

A

carbon, nitrogen

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6
Q

Identify the two major classes of nucleic acids.

A

DNA and RNA

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7
Q

The two purine bases in DNA are __ and __.

A

adenine and guanine

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8
Q

__ is used by the cell to store genetic information, while __ is involved in decoding this genetic information.

A

DNA and RNA

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9
Q

What four bases are found in DNA?

A

Guanine

Thymine

Cytosine

Adenine

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10
Q

The building blocks of nucleic acids are monomers called __.

A

nucleotides

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11
Q

Where are the sugar phosphate groups and the bases found in the double helix?

A

The sugar phosphate backbone faces the outside of the double helix while the bases pair in the middle.

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12
Q

The three basic components of a nucleotide are a(n) pentose __, a(n) __ group, and a(n) __.

A

sugar, phosphate, base

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13
Q

What are the major components of the bases in a nucleotide?

A

single or double carbon ring

nitrogen

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14
Q

Which of the following are pyrimidine bases found in DNA?

A

Thymine

Cytosine

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15
Q

The structure of a DNA molecule is best described as a(n):

A

double helix

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16
Q

The four bases present in DNA are __, __, __, and __. (NO abbreviations please)

A

Cytosine, Thymine, Guanine, Adenine

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17
Q

Two strands of DNA are bound together by __ bonds to form the double helix.

A

hydrogen

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18
Q

The backbone of a DNA or RNA strand is made of alternating __ and __ molecules.

A

sugar, phosphate

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19
Q

What are the three basic components of a nucleotide?

A

base

sugar

phosphate group

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20
Q

During proper base pairing in DNA, adenine pairs with __ and cytosine pairs with __. (No abbreviations please)

A

thymine, guanine

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21
Q

A DNA molecule consists of two strands coiled around each other to form a structure called a(n) __.

A

double helix

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22
Q

The sugar found in ribonucleotides of RNA is __.

A

ribose

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23
Q

What type of bond is responsible for the base pairing between two strands of DNA in the double helix?

A

Hydrogen

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24
Q

RNA contains which of the following?

  • Cytosine
  • Uracil
  • Adenine
  • Guanine
  • Ribose
  • Thymine
  • Deoxyribose
A
  • Cytosine
  • Uracil
  • Adenine
  • Guanine
  • Ribose
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25
Q

True or false: Only purines are found in DNA, and only pyrimidines are found in RNA.

A

False

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26
Q

What base pairs are found in DNA?

A

Adenine-thymine

Cytosine-guanine

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27
Q

RNA differs from DNA in that RNA contains the base __ and does not contain the base __.

A

uracil, thymine

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28
Q

What type of sugar is found in RNA molecules?

A

Ribose

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29
Q

For a molecule to serve as the genetic material, it must meet the following key criteria: information, __, __, and __.

A

replication, transmission, variance

30
Q

Which of the following descriptions apply typically to DNA?

  • Stores genetic information in cells
  • Contains adenine and guanine
  • Single-stranded
  • Contains deoxyribose
  • Contains cytosine and uracil
A

Stores genetic information in cells

Contains adenine and guanine

Contains deoxyribose

31
Q

The cell structure that contains DNA is the

A

chromosome

32
Q

The nucleotide subunits of DNA and RNA contain nitrogenous bases. The pyrimidine base __ is found only in DNA, while the pyrimidine base __ is found only in RNA.

A

thymine, uracil

33
Q

Which are nucleic acids?

  • RNA
  • DNA
  • Purines
  • Pyrimidines
A

RNA

DNA

34
Q

What four bases are found in RNA?

A

Cytosine

Adenine

Guanine

Uracil

35
Q

In order for the genetic material to fulfill its role in cells, it must meet which of the following criteria?

  • diversity
  • information
  • continuity
  • replication
  • variation
  • transmission
A

information

replication

variation

transmission

36
Q

DNA and RNA are called nucleic acids because they release __+ ions in solution and have a net __ charge at neutral pH.

A

hydrogen, negative

37
Q

A chromosome is composed of two macromolecules. Which ones?

A

DNA

protein

38
Q

Rank the five levels of structural features of DNA. Start at the top with the most complex (or largest), and end at the bottom with the least complex (or smallest).

A
  1. genome
  2. chromosome
  3. double helix
  4. DNA strand
  5. nucleotide
39
Q

A strand of DNA or RNA is composed of a linear array of nucleotides held together by __ bonds.

A

covalent

40
Q

Nucleic acids are named such because they

A

release H+ in solutions

41
Q

The interaction of two strands of DNA via hydrogen bonds results in a structure called the

A

double helix

42
Q

Nucleotides are linked together by phosphoester bonds – between phosphorus and

A

oxygen

43
Q

Of the following structural features of DNA, which has the highest level of complexity?

A

genome

44
Q

In a DNA strand, adjacent nucleotides are held together by covalent bonds known as __ bonds.

A

phosphoester

45
Q

The nucleotides of a single DNA or RNA strand are linked by:

A

covalent bonds

46
Q

The 5 prime end of a DNA strand has a __ group, and the 3 prime end has a __ group.

A

P (phosphate), -OH (hydroxyl)

47
Q

The level of DNA structure that resembles a spiral staircase is the

A

double helix

48
Q

Directionality refers to the orientation of

A

sugar molecules in a DNA strand

49
Q

In a DNA chain, adjacent nucleotides are linked via a bond between

A

a sugar molecule in one and a phosphate group in the other

50
Q

In a DNA double helix, adenine and thymine on opposite strands are connected to each other via __ hydrogen bonds.

A

2

51
Q

The nucleotides in the backbone of the DNA strand are held together by what type of bond?

A

Phosphodiester

52
Q

Guanine forms __ hydrogen bonds with cytosine.

A

3

53
Q

A linear DNA strand contains two ends: the 5 prime end has a free _______ group, while the 3 prime end has a free _______ group.

A

P ; OH

54
Q

A segment of DNA has the sequence 5’-ATGCTT-3’. The complementary sequence would be

A

3’-TACGAA-5’

55
Q

The orientation of sugar molecules within a DNA strand is referred to as __.

A

directionality

56
Q

The pairing of C with G exemplifies the definition of

A

complementarity

57
Q

Which bases are connected by two hydrogen bonds?

A

adenine and thymine

58
Q

A single turn of the double helix consists of __ base pairs.

A

10

59
Q

In a DNA double helix, cytosine is paired with

A

guanine by three hydrogen bonds.

60
Q

Which bases are paired properly?

A

C-G

A-T

61
Q

In a DNA double helix, one strand runs in one direction, while the other is upside down relative to the first one. This characteristic describes the __ nature of the two strands.

A

antiparallel

62
Q

If a strand of DNA has a T nucleotide, the complementary strand will have which nucleotide paired with the T?

A

A

63
Q

The term used to describe two DNA strands that run in opposite directions from each other is

A

antiparallel

64
Q

The ability to predict the DNA sequence in one strand based on the sequence of another strand is referred to as

A

complementarity

65
Q

How many base pairs make up one turn of the double helix?

A

10

66
Q

The DNA double helix consists of the __ groove and the __ groove.

A

major, minor

67
Q

Which end of one strand of DNA within a double helix is next to the 5’ end of the other strand within that helix?

A

The 3’ end

68
Q

Two DNA strands in a double helix that run in opposite directions from one another are said to be __.

A

antiparallel

69
Q

The pairing of C with G exemplifies the definition of

A

complementarity

70
Q

The two types of grooves seen in the double helix are the

A

major and minor