Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What is a nucleic acid?
Polymers that are made up of many repeating units (monomers) called nucleotides.
What 3 components make up a nucleotide?
- A PENTOSE SUGAR
- A NITROGEN-CONTAINING ORGANIC BASE
- A PHOSPHATE GROUP
What are the components of a DNA nucleotide?
- A DEOXYRIBOSE SUGAR with hydrogen at the 2’ position
- A phosphate group
- One of four nitrogenous bases - ACGT
What are the components of an RNA nucleotide?
- A RIBOSE SUGAR with a hydroxyl (OH) group at the 2’ position
- A phosphate group
- One of four nitrogenous bases - ACGU
What does the presence of the hydroxyl group in RNA do?
It makes RNA more susceptible to hydrolysis.
What is the difference between a purine and a pyrimidine?
Purines have a double ring structure whereas pyrimidines have a single ring structure.
What are the purines?
Adenine and Guanine.
What are the pyrimidines?
Thymine, Uracil and Cytosine.
What type of nucleotide is ATP?
A phosphorylated nucleotide.
What does ATP do?
- USED TO TRANSFER ENERGY
- It is the energy-carrying molecule that provides the energy to drive many processes inside living cells.
What do animals specifically require energy for? (ATP)
- Muscle contraction
- Conduction of nerve impulses.
What do ALL organisms require energy for? (ATP)
- ANABOLIC reactions
- Moving substances
What are the 2 stages of protein synthesis?
Transcription and translation
What is the 1st stage of protein synthesis?
Transcription
What happens during transcription?
A molecule of mRNA is made in the nucleus.
