Nucleic Acids Flashcards

Lesson 1

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1
Q

What is DNA

A
Deoxyribonucleic acid 
- nucleic acid, made from a double helix
- responsible for holding genetic/hereditary information
- dictates how and what a cell does
Nucleic acid, macro molecule
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2
Q

What are nucleic acids? Give two examples

A
  • acids made from nucleotides
    - consists of polymers (long repeating
    strands of molecules
  • store and express genetic information
  • comes in two types: DNA, or RNA
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3
Q

What are polymers

A

Repeating, long molecules

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4
Q

What are monomers

A

Parts that are repeated in a polymers

In DNA that would be a nucleotide

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5
Q

Structure of a nucleotide

A
  1. Phosphate group
  2. Penrose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose)
  3. Nitrogen base

They are held together by strong, covalent bonds

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6
Q

What is a purine

Example?

A

Its a type of nitrogen base found in nucleotides
Larger, double ringed
Guanine, Adendine

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7
Q

What are pyramidines

A

Type of nitrogen base found in nucleotides
Smaller, single ring
Thymine cytosine uracil

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8
Q

Why do nitrogen bases pair up in specific pairs

A

They are connected by a specif amount of weak hydrogen bonds that are very specific
Ie. Guanine and cytosjne have 3 each, adendine thymine have 2 each

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9
Q

Difference between DNA and RNA

A

Dna: found in nucleus, stabilizes itself by bonding with a nitrogen band, main component of Gene’s

Rna: found in nucleus, short term molecule (can exist outside of the nucleus, dies quickly) doesnt stabilize itself, holds the information for making proteins
(Read by ribosomes)

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10
Q

Hereditary?

A

Process of passing down traits from parents to offspring

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11
Q

Gene’s? Structure of Gene’s? Genetics?

A

Genetic information that codes for a specific trait
consist of DNA, found in chromosomes
Genetics is the study of hereditability and variations of traits

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12
Q

Locus loci

A

Location of a gene/allele on a chromosome

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13
Q

Homologous chromosomes

A

Same type of chromosome/same structure

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14
Q

Allele

A

Variant of a gene

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15
Q

Diploid 2n

A

2 sets of chromosomes
the n stands for the types of chromosomes.
- Humans have 23 types of chromosomes (n = 23) and they are all in pairs; so the equation is 2n = 46 (2 x 23 = 46)

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16
Q

Haploid n

A

Half the normal amount of chromosomes
Eg. Gametes are haploid, they only contain 23 chromosomes
n = 23

17
Q

Polyploid

A

Three or more sets of chromosomes

18
Q

Asexual reproduction, pros cons

A

New individual is produced from a single organism through cell division (creates genetically identical clones/daughter cells)

Pros: quick, independent, easy, dont have to rely on anyone
Cons: lack of genetic diversity, weaker against environmental changes, smaller change oc survival

Ex. Some plants have both male and female reproductive organs, so they fertilize themselves (eg. pea plants ahve both stames (produce pollents) and another egg thing. When it self fertilizes its true breeding; the seeds grow into the exact phenotype of the pea plant)

19
Q

Sexual reproduction pros and cons

A

New individual is created by the fusion of 2 gametes, from two separate organisms

Pros: genetic diversity, stronger chance of surviva, stronger
Cons: mating takes a lot of time and effort