nucleic acids Flashcards
What are nucleic acids?
Large biomolecules that play important roles in all cells. Such as storing genetic information for creating RNA and proteins in cells.
What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
What are nucleic acids made up of?
Monomers are known as nucleotides.
What are nucleotides? What are the main components of nucleotides?
Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The three main components of nucleotides are the deoxyribose sugar, phosphate molecule, and nitrogenous bases (thymine or uracil , adenine, guanine, and cytosine)
Identify which nitrogenous bases are pyrimidines and which ones are purines.
Adenine and guanine are purines.
Cytosine, uracil, and thymine are pyrimidines.
Contrast RNA and DNA
- DNA is always double-stranded (connected by hydrogen bonds), whereas RNA is usually single-stranded.
- DNA consists of thymine, whereas RNA consists of uracil.
- DNA consists of deoxyribose, whereas RNA consists of sugar ribose.
- DNA stays in the nucleus whereas RNA can travel around the cell.
What are the three types of RNA
- mRNA which is the Messenger RNA
- tRNA which is the Transfer RNA
rRNA which is the ribosomal RNA
What is a proteome
A proteome is the whole set of proteins that can be produced by a cell, tissue, or organism. There are over 10 000 different types of proteins in a proteome.
What are the 8 names of the functions that proteins inhibit?
The 8 functions of proteins and their names are:
- Contractile and motor proteins.
- Structural proteins.
- Hormonal proteins
- Enzymes
- Transport proteins.
- Receptor proteins.
- Immunological proteins.
- Storage proteins.
What is the function of contractile and motor proteins? Give an example.
Contractile and motor proteins allow movement in cells and their organelles. An example is how tubulin forms microtubules
What is the function of structural proteins? Give an example.
Structural proteins provide support, protection, and strength. An example is collagen, which supports body tissues.
What is the function of hormonal proteins? Give an example.
Hormones help signal between different types of cells, such as stimulation and inhibition. An example is how insulin travels in the blood to trigger the uptake of glucose.
What is the function of receptor proteins? Give an example.
Receptor proteins helps the cell to respond to chemical stimuli. An example is how insulin receptors bind to insulin to trigger the uptake of glucose.
What are the functions of enzymes? Give an example.
Enzymes are involved with catalyse biochemical reactions. An example is DNA polymerase.
What is the function of transport proteins? Give an example.
Transport proteins help carry molecules from one place to another, including in and out of the cell. An example is how haemaglobin carries oxygen to blood cells.
What is the function of immunological proteins? Give an example.
Immunological proteins recognise other substances (in most cases outside of the cell). An example is how antibodies cause foreign material to clump up and be ingested by white cells.
What is the function of storage proteins? Give an example.
Storage proteins aid in the storage of metal ions and amino acids. An example is how ovalbumin is found in egg white, which helps a developing embryo.
What are the different groups that make up an amino acid?
The three different groups that make up an amino acid are:
- Amine group
- Functional R group
- Carboxyl group
What are the four levels of protein structure?
The four levels of protein structure are as followed:
1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. Tertiary
4. Quarternary
Briefly describe the primary structure of a protein
The primary structure of a protein is made up of a long chain of amino acids, which bind together through peptide bonds and then form a polypeptide.
Briefly describe the secondary structure of a protein.
The secondary structure of a protein is made up of patterns such as the alpha helices and beta sheets which are formed when hydrogen bonding between amino acids and carboxyl groups occur.
Briefly describe the tertiary structure of a protein.
The tertiary structure of a protein is a three-dimensional arrangement that is sustained by external and internal bond interactions.
Briefly describe the quaternary structure of a protein.
The quaternary structure of a protein is built up into a functional structure because of how the chains of amino acids fold up into unique three-dimensional shapes.
What is the function of proteins?
Proteins are important because they are apart of cellular function
