NUCLEIC ACIDS

Question 1

WHAT ARE nucleic acids

Answer 1

Large molecules
Discovered in cell nucelus
Large polymers formed from many nucleotides inked together ina. Chain
Roles in storage adn transfer of genetics information and synthesis of polypeptides - DNA AND RNA

Question 2

WHAT ELEMENTS do nucleic acids contain

Answer 2

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Phsophorus and nitrogen

Question 3

What are nucleotides made up of

Answer 3

A pentose monosaccharide with 5 carbon atoms

A phosphate group an inorganic molecule that’s acidic and negatively charged ( PO4 2-)

Nitrogenous base( organic) -1 or 2 Carbon rings

Question 4

How are nucleotides linked together

Answer 4

Phosphodiester ( covalent) bond

Between phosphate group at 5th Carbon of pentose sugar and OH group at 3rd Carbon of endorse sugar of the adjacent nucleotides

Forms a long and strong sugar phosphate backbone

Question 5

What are the 2 types of bases

Answer 5

Pyrimidines

Purines

Question 6

What are pyrmidines

Answer 6

Smaller bases
Contain a single Carbon ring structure

THYMINE AND CYTOSINE

Question 7

Purines ?

Answer 7

Larger bases

Double Carbon ring structure

Adenine and guanine

Question 8

The double helix - anti parallel ?

Answer 8

2 strands of the double helix are held together by Hygeine bonds between bases

Each strand has a phosphate group (5’) end and a hydroxyl group end (3’) at the tether

2 PARALLEL strand and in opposite directions

Question 9

Base pairing

Answer 9

Adenine and thymine ( 2 hydrogen bonds )

Cytosine and guanine( 3 hydrogen bonds)

Complementary

Means that a small pyrmidine binds with larger purine = constant distance

Question 10

What is RNA

Answer 10

Riboneucleoic aci

Transfers genetic info from DNA to the proteins that make u the enzymes and tissues of the body

Question 11

Why is RNA used

Answer 11

The DNA is very long, with many genes

Unable to leave through nuclear poire as too big and could get damaged - mutation

Question 12

What is RNA domed of

Answer 12

Pentose sugar - ribose

Question 13

Thymine in RNA

Answer 13

Uracil

Question 14

What happens to RNA after protein synthesis

Answer 14

RNA molecules are degraded int the cytoplasm

Phosphodiester bonds are hydrolysed and RNA nucleotides released and reused

Question 15

What 3 types of activity do cells require energy for

Answer 15

Synthesis - e.g. Proteins

Transport e.g. Pumping molecules or ions across cell membranes by active transport

Movement e.g. Protein fibres in the muscle cells that cause muscle contraction

Question 16

Structure of ATP

Answer 16

3 phosphate

1 ribose sugar

Adenine base

Question 17

What are the properties of ATP

Answer 17

Water soluble - energy requiring processes happen often in Aqueous environments

Easily regenerated- can be recharged with energy

Bonds between phosphates for immediate energy

Release energy in small quantities so energy not wasted as heat

Small - moves easily into and out of cells

Question 18

Why is ATP called the universal energy currency

Answer 18

Present in all cells and organisms

Releases energy ions mall manageable quantities

Question 19

Why is fatstored for excess energy and not ATP

Answer 19

Phosphate bonds are in stable

Fats and carbohydrates - energy released in breakdown of these is used to create ATP ( phosphorylation) = condensation , add Pi to ADP

Question 20

How does ATP RELEASE ENERGY

Answer 20

ATP+ H20—- ADP+Pi+energy

When bonds break, energy is released = HYDROLYSIS reaction

Phosphate bonds