Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What are nucleic acids
huge, macromolecular compounds that are polymers of nucleotides.
what are the two types of nucleic acids
DNA: DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID - makes up chromosomes and genes. Controls all cell activities including cell division and protein synthesis.
DNA also undergoes mutations which are important to the process of evolution.
RNA: RIBONUCLEIC ACID - works with DNA to carry out protein synthesis.
DNA and RNA are polymers that form from the dehydration synthesis between nucleotides.
What do nucleotides consist of
five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose)
a phosphate
a nitrogen-containing base (which may have one or two rings).
There are 4 different nucleotides in DNA.
The sequence of these nucleotides is the “Genetic Code.”
how is DNA structured
DNA consists of two antiparallel strands of nucleic acids.
Each strand has a backbone of the sugars and phosphates of joined nucleotides.
The bases stick out the side and hydrogen-bond with the complementary bases of the other strand.
The two strands wind around each other to form a double helix.
A, G, T, C
A-T
C-G
what do sections of DNA form
functional units called GENES. A gene is one instruction for making one polypeptide, and is about 1000 nucleotides long, on average.
how is DNA packaged
DNA is packaged into chromosomes, and is located in the nucleus.
How is RNA structured
RNA is a single strand of nucleic acid, which is formed off a DNA template in the nucleus. It migrates to the cytoplasm during protein synthesis.
what are the different types of RNA
rRNA, mRNA, tRNA
DNA structure compared to RNA structure
sugar- DNA: Deoxyribose, RNA: RIbose
Bases DNA: adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, RNA: Adenine, guanine, uracil, cytosine
Strands - DNA: double stranded with base pairing, RNA: single stranded
Helix - DNA: yes, RNA: no
What does ATP stand for and its functions
Adenosine Triphosphate, ATP is a type of modified nucleotide that is used as the primary CARRIER OF ENERGY in cells
Consists of the sugar Ribose, the base Adenine, and 3 phosphate groups attached to the ribose.
How is energy created
The bond between the outer two phosphates is very high in energy: when it is broken, much energy is released, which can be used by the cell (for example, for muscle contraction).
where is ATP mostly produced
ATP is produced mostly produced inside mitochondria during the process of cellular respiration.
comparison of each molecule
nucleic acid: building block= nucleotide, example = DNA or RNA
Protein: building block = amino acid, example = Enzyme
Carbohydrate: building block= glucose, Example: glycogen
Lipid: building block = fatty acid and glycerol, example: neutral fat, triglyceride
