Nucleic Acids

Question 1

What are nucleic acids?

Answer 1

Polymers made up of monomers called nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information.

Question 2

Define monomers and polymers in the context of biological molecules.

Answer 2

Monomers are the basic building blocks, while polymers are larger structures formed by linked monomers.

Question 3

What are the components of a nucleotide?

Answer 3

A nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (pentose), and a phosphate group.

Question 4

How do nucleotides contribute to the structure of nucleic acids?

Answer 4

They link together to form the backbone, with bases extending from the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Question 5

Explain the central dogma of molecular biology.

Answer 5

Describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Question 6

What are the building blocks of proteins?

Answer 6

Amino acids.

Question 7

Identify the types of biological molecules and their corresponding monomers.

Answer 7

Proteins (amino acids), nucleic acids (nucleotides), carbohydrates (monosaccharides).

Question 8

How does understanding the structure of molecules aid in understanding their function?

Answer 8

The arrangement of atoms and functional groups determines interactions and biological roles.

Question 9

List the four main types of biological molecules.

Answer 9

Proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids.

Question 10

Describe the role of lipids in biological systems.

Answer 10

Energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, signaling molecules.

Question 11

What is the significance of hierarchical assemblies in biological systems?

Answer 11

Organization from small molecules to complex tissues highlights complexity and interdependence.

Question 12

Describe the role of DNA in protein synthesis.

Answer 12

Contains information that prescribes the amino acid sequence of proteins.

Question 13

How does RNA function in relation to DNA and proteins?

Answer 13

Serves in the machinery that links amino acids in the correct sequence.

Question 14

Differentiate between a nucleotide and a nucleoside.

Answer 14

A nucleotide includes a phosphate group; a nucleoside consists of only the nitrogenous base and sugar.

Question 15

List some functions of nucleotides beyond being monomers for nucleic acids.

Answer 15

Signaling molecules, carry chemical energy, combine to form enzymes.

Question 16

Explain the significance of the double helix structure of DNA.

Answer 16

Crucial for stability and accurate replication and transcription of genetic information.

Question 17

Identify the role of ATP in cellular processes.

Answer 17

Acts as a carrier of chemical energy.

Question 18

Describe the structure of DNA.

Answer 18

Two antiparallel strands with sugar-phosphate backbones held by hydrogen bonds between paired bases.

Question 19

Define complementary base pairing in DNA.

Answer 19

Adenine pairs with Thymine and Guanine pairs with Cytosine.

Question 20

Explain the process of DNA replication.

Answer 20

Involves the DNA double helix acting as a template for duplication.

Question 21

What is meant by semi-conservative DNA replication?

Answer 21

Each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Question 22

Describe the role of the replication fork in DNA replication.

Answer 22

Area where the DNA double helix is unwound for new strand synthesis.

Question 23

How is DNA packaged in cells?

Answer 23

Through a complex structure involving histones and chromatin.

Question 24

Describe the structure of ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Answer 24

Single-stranded but can fold into specific structures.

Question 25

Define non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).

Answer 25

RNA molecules that do not code for proteins, including rRNA, tRNA, snRNA, snoRNA.

Question 26

How do transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules function in protein synthesis?

Answer 26

Transport amino acids to the ribosome, matching anticodon with codon.

Question 27

What are the types of structural non-coding RNAs?

Answer 27

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA).

Question 28

Explain the role of regulatory non-coding RNAs.

Answer 28

Involved in the regulation of gene expression and influence cellular processes.

Question 29

How does RNA differ from DNA in terms of structure?

Answer 29

RNA is typically single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded.

Question 30

What is the significance of the genetic code in biology?

Answer 30

Essential for translating DNA information into proteins.

Question 31

List some recommended readings for understanding molecular biology.

Answer 31

‘OCR AS/A level Biology A’, ‘Campbell Biology’, ‘Molecular Biology of the Cell’.