Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What is another name for nucleic acids?
Polynucleotides
Why are nucleic acids vital to organism survival?
The carry all the info needed to form new cells
What type of reaction links nucleotides together?
Condensation
What type of bonds form between nucleotides and between which parts of the nucleotide?
Phosphodiester bonds
Sugar on one
Phosphate group of other
What is common to all polynucleotides?
The have a hydroxyl group at one end and a phosphate group at the other
What is the name of the structure of a DNA molecule?
A double helix
Which base pairs with adenine?
Thymine
Uracil
Which base pairs with cytosine?
Guanine
How do bases stick together?
Hydrogen bonds form between amino and carbonyl groups of purine and pyrimidine bases
Which pair of bases has 3 hydrogen bonds?
Cytosine & guanine
Which pair of bases has 2 hydrogen bonds?
Adenine & thymine
How many base pairs are there for each complete twist of the double helix?
10
What are the two strands of DNA known as?
5’ (5 prime)
3’ (3 prime)
How are 5’ and 3’ strands named?
According to the number of the carbon atom in the pentose sugar to which the phosphate group is attached in the first nucleotide of the chain
Which molecule is free at the end of the 5’ strand?
Phosphate
