Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What are individual nucleotides made up of?
- A phosphate group,
- A pentose sugar,
- A nitrogen-containing organic base.
What is the bond formed between the deoxyribose sugar of one mononucleotide and the phosphate group of another called?
A phosphodiester bond
What is a chain of nucleotides called?
A polynucleotide
What is the pentose sugar called in DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What are the bonds that form between the organic bases?
Hydrogen bonds
Name two reasons why DNA is a stable molecule.
- The phosphodiester backbone protects the more chemically reactive organic bases inside the double helix,
- 2 or 3 hydrogen bonds hold the strands together
Name 5 ways the structure of DNA is adapted to its function
- Stable structure,
- The hydrogen bonds can separate during replication,
- Large, carries large amounts of genetic information,
- Base pairs are protected by the phosphodiester backbone from chemical and physical forces,
- Base pairing allows DNA to replicate and transfer information by mRNA.
What are the 2 stages in DNA replication?
Nuclear division and cytokinesis.
What are the four requirements for semi-conservative replication?
- Nucleotide bases must be present,
- Both strands of DNA act as a template for the attachment of these nucleotides,
- The enzyme DNA polymerase,
- A source of chemical energy.
What is the function of DNA helicase?
Breaks the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs in DNA.
What is the function of DNA polymerase?
The free-nucleotides are joined together by a condensation reaction by DNA polymerase.
What is the structure of ATP?
- Adenine,
- Ribose,
- Phosphates.
What catalyses the reaction for ADP to ATP?
ATP synthase.
Why is ATP a better immediate energy source compared to glucose?
- Each ATP releases small manageable amounts of energy,
- Provides immediate energy.
What is the charge on the oxygen molecule in water?
Slight negative
Why can water act as a buffer against sudden temperature changes?
It has a high specific heat capacity, it takes a lot of energy to heat water due to its hydrogen bonding.
Where are inorganic ions found in an organism?
In the solution in the cytoplasm of cells and in body fluids.
