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Biology > Nucleic Acids & RNA > Flashcards

Nucleic Acids & RNA Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What nucleic acids carry?

A

They carry the genetic blueprint of a cell and carry instructions for the functioning of the cell.

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2
Q

What the 2 main types of nucleic acids?

A
  1. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
  2. RNA (ribonucleic acid)
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3
Q

What is DNA

A

It is the genetic material found in all living organisms. DNA controls all of the cellular activities by turning the genes “on” or “off.” DNA can store and transmit biological information.
DNA carries the information required for the organism’s growth and reproduction.
The “language” of nucleic acids is contained in the sequence of the bases. DNA carries the information required for the growth and reproduction of all cells.

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4
Q

Where is DNA found in eukaryotes?

A

Found in the nucleus, mitochondria, & the chloroplasts.

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5
Q

What is the genome & what is the study of genomes?

A

The entire genetic content of a cell.
The study of genomes is called genomics.

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6
Q

In eukaryotic cells…

A

DNA forms a complex with histone proteins to form chromatin, the substance of eukaryotic chromosomes.

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7
Q

A chromosome contains what?

A

Genes

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8
Q

What are genes?

A

They are a segment of DNA

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9
Q

What are the three main components of a nucleotide?

A
  1. Phosphate
  2. Ribose
  3. Nitrogenous Base
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10
Q

What is the difference between a deoxyribonucleotide and a ribonucleotide?

A

These two sugars differ by a single oxygen atom. The 2’ carbon differs between the two sugars. Phosphodiester linkage (covalent bond) occurs between these bonds. Deoxyribose has an H instead at the same location. Ribose has an –OH group bonded to the 2′ carbon.

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11
Q

What are the five nitrogenous bases?

A
  1. Adenine
  2. Thymine (found only in deoxyribonucleotides)
  3. Cytosine
  4. Guanine
  5. Uracil (found only in ribonucleotides)
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12
Q

Which 3 nitrogenous bases are pyrimidines (one ring)?

A

1.Cytosine
2. Uracil
3. Thymine

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13
Q

Which two nitrogenous bases are purines (two rings) ?
Purines are larger than
pyrimidines.

A
  1. Adenine
  2. Guanine
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14
Q

How do bases pair with each other? (i.e. which bases match up together?)

A

Bases Pair with each other (pyrimidine with a purine) when forming nucleotide sequences. They pair using hydrophobic interactions.
DNA: A-T & C-G
RNA: A-U & C-G

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15
Q

If you have a DNA strand comprised of 30% thymine, then how much cytosine would you expect in this strand?

A

Cytosine: 20%
Guanine: 20%
Adenine: 30%
To answer you would have to solve the counter part, adenine. Then you can calculate cytosine. Knowing that it must equal 100%.

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16
Q

How do nucleotides polymerize? What type of bond is formed and what type of reaction takes place?

A
  1. Phosphodiester linkage (covalent bond) occurs between
    The phosphate group on the 5′ carbon of one nucleotide
    And the –OH group on the 3′ carbon of another (3′ and 5′ carbons joined by phosphodiester linkage)
  2. Forms through condensation reaction (aka dehydration synthesis). When this occurs then nucleic acids form.
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17
Q

The Sugar-Phosphate Backbone Is Directional (has polarity) b/c

A

In a single strand of RNA or DNA:
One end has an unlinked 5′ phosphate & the other end has an unlinked 3′ hydroxyl (at the 3′ end of nucleic acid this occurs). One strand going 5’ to 3’ and the other 3’ to 5’.

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18
Q

Have chemical evolution experiments been able to produce nucleotides yet? What is the main thing that is missing?

A

Simulations of chemical evolution have not yet produced nucleotides. The sugars and purines are easily made, BUT the
Pyrimidines and ribose are not easily synthesized. Mainly ribose problem.

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19
Q

What does it mean to say that DNA is antiparallel?

A

The two strands of the helix run in opposite directions, meaning that the 5′ carbon end of one strand will face the 3′ carbon end of its matching strand. Important to DNA replication and in many nucleic acid interactions.)

20
Q

Who discovered the secondary structure of DNA?

A

James Watson and Francis Crick

21
Q

How is the secondary structure of DNA set up and what are its four main elements?

A

The secondary structure of DNA is established by two strands of nucleotides winding around each other in a double helix shape (Two antiparallel strands twisted into a double helix), held together by hydrogen bonds/ hydrophobic interactions between complementary base pairs.
1. DNA strands run in an antiparallel configuration
2. DNA strands form a double helix. The hydrophilic sugar-phosphate backbone faces the exterior. Nitrogenous base pairs face the interior.
3. Purines always pair with pyrimidines (there is enough space b/w. Purine-purine pair
NOT ENOUGH SPACE. Pyrimidine-pyrimidine pair
TOO MUCH SPACE).
4. DNA has two different-sized groove. The major grove & minor grove.

22
Q

What is the main function of DNA?

A

To code for proteins.

23
Q

How does its secondary structure make it ideal for this function?

A

DNA’s secondary structure, the double helix, is ideal for its function of storing genetic information because it allows for accurate replication by providing two complementary strands that can easily separate and act as templates for creating new, identical DNA molecules during cell division; this is achieved through the specific base pairing between the strands, where adenine always pairs with thymine and cytosine with guanine, ensuring the genetic code is faithfully copied

24
Q

How is DNA’s structure ideal for being able to form replicates of itself?

A
  1. Primary structure serves as a mold or template for the synthesis of a complementary strand.
  2. Contains the information required for a copy of itself to be made.
25
Q

What is complementary base pairing?

A

Complementary base pairing
Provides a simple mechanism for DNA replication. Each strand can serve as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand

26
Q

Can DNA catalyze reactions? Why or why not?

A

NO, b/c DNA is stable so it makes a poor catalyst. Since it is stable it reliable store for genetic information, less reactive than RNA, &more resistant to chemical degradation

27
Q

How does the PRIMARY structure of RNA differ from DNA?

A
  1. RNA contains uracil instead of thymine
  2. RNA contains ribose instead of deoxyribose. The presence of the –OH group on ribose makes RNA much more reactive & less stable than DNA.
28
Q

How is the PRIMARY structure of RNA similar to DNA?

A

Both consist of a sugar-phosphate backbone, formed by phosphodiester linkages that extend from the backbone, a sequence of four types of nitrogenous base.

29
Q

How does RNA secondary structure differ from DNA?

A

RNA has hairpin structure that is formed when a single stand folds back on itself to form a double helix “stem” & a single stranded loop w/complementary base pairing of A-U & C-G. While DNA has two antiparallel strands twist into a double helix, stabilized by hydrogen bonding b/w complentary bases (A-T, C-G) & hydrophobic reactions.

Bases of RNA typically form hydrogen bonds with complementary bases on the same strand.

30
Q

What is RNA?

A

A single-stranded and is made of ribonucleotides that are linked by phosphodiester bonds.

31
Q

What is a ribonucleotides?

A

Contains ribose (the pentose sugar), one of the four nitrogenous bases (A, U, G, and C), and the phosphate group. They make up RNA as they are the monomers.

32
Q

What are the 4 major types of RNA? (IN ORDER)

A
  1. messenger RNA (mRNA). carries the message from DNA. If a cell requires a certain protein to be synthesized, the gene for this product is turned “on” and the messenger RNA is synthesized in the nucleus. Once in the cytoplasm it interacts with ribosomes and other cellular machinery. Read in sets of three bases known as codons. Each codon codes for a single amino acid. In this way, the mRNA is read and the protein product is made.
  2. ribosomal RNA (rRNA). mRNA binds to this. The rRNA ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes; the rRNA of the ribosome also has an enzymatic activity (peptidyl transferase) and catalyzes the formation of the peptide bonds between two aligned amino acids.
  3. transfer RNA (tRNA). It carries the correct amino acid to the site of protein synthesis. It is the base pairing between the tRNA and mRNA that allows for the correct amino acid to be inserted in the polypeptide chain.
  4. microRNA (miRNA). Their role involves the regulation of gene expression by interfering with the expression of certain mRNA messages.
33
Q

What is the Central Dogma?

A

DNA dictates the structure of mRNA in a process known as TRANSCRIPTION, and RNA dictates the structure of protein in a process known as TRANSLATION..

34
Q

What is a hairpin structure?

A

Bases on one part of the RNA strand fold over and align with bases on the other part of the same strand.

35
Q

What the implications that RNA can have a tertiary structure?

A

Forms when secondary structures fold into more complex shapes (three-dimensional shapes). EX:tRNA

36
Q

Does DNA have a tertiary structure?

A

No

37
Q

How is RNA similar to DNA?

A

Can function as an information-containing molecule & is capable of self-replication.

38
Q

Structurally/chemically, RNA is intermediate between…

A

The complexity of proteins & the simplicity of DNA.

39
Q

Why is RNA considered to be a possible candidate for the origin of life?

A
40
Q

What properties does it have that other molecules do not?

A

RNA can function as a catalytic molecule. RNA has a degree of structural and chemical complexity. It is capable of catalyzing a number of chemical reactions.

41
Q

How does RNA replicate itself?

A

It forms a template (to be copied) for its own synthesis:
1. Complementary bases pair
2. Copied strand polymerizes. Catalyze polymerization reactions that would link monomers into a copy of that template.
3. Copy & template separate
4. Copy serves as new template
5. New copy polymerizes
6. New copy is identical to original copy

42
Q

What ribozyme does RNA use?

A

RNA replicase. It can catalyze the addition of ribonucleotides to a complementary RNA strand & can replicate RNA

43
Q

What is the RNA World Hypothesis?

A

Proposes that, in the early stages of life on Earth, RNA molecules were the primary carriers of genetic information and performed catalytic functions, essentially acting as both the “DNA” and “proteins” of early life forms, before the evolution of DNA and complex protein systems as we know them today.
RNA is not very stable, so it might have survived long enough in the prebiotic soup to replicate itself. And so it may have been the first life-form.

44
Q

What is ATP and how does it provide energy for chemical reactions in a cell?

A

adenosine triphosphate is a nucleotide that releases energy when it loses one of its phosphate groups, which fuels reactions and processes within the cell. When ATP loses a phosphate group, it is converted to ADP (adenosine diphosphate).

45
Q

The structure & hydrolysis of ATP:

A

ATP drives endergonic reactions by phosphorylation, transferring a phosphate group to some other molecule, such as a reactant. The recipient molecule is now called a phosphorylated intermediate.

Biology (9 decks)

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