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Biology A LEVEL > RNA > Flashcards

RNA Flashcards

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1
Q

What does RNA stand for?

A
  • Ribonucleic acid.
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2
Q

True or False

RNA is a monomer that makes up DNA.

A
  • FALSE!!!
  • RNA is a polymer of nucletodies.
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3
Q

What are the components of the RNA nucleotide?

A
  • Ribose (pentose) sugar.
  • Nitrogen- containing organic base.
  • Phosphate group.
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4
Q

What are the 4 nitrogen- containing organic bases in RNA?

A
  • Guanine.
  • Adenine.
  • Cytosine
  • Uracil (instead of thymine.)
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5
Q

What is the difference between RNA and DNA in terms of length and size?

A
  • RNA is a relatively short polynucleotide chain and it’s single- stranded.
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6
Q

What are the two MAIN functions of RNA?

A

1.) Copies and transfers genetic code from DNA in nucleus to the ribosomes.
2.) Some RNA (rRNA) combines with proteins to form ribosomes.

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7
Q

What two components are ribosomes formed from?

A
  • RNA
  • Proteins.
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8
Q

What are the 3 types of RNA?

A
  • mRNA
  • tRNA
  • rRNA
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9
Q

What is mRNA?

A
  • mRNA is a copy of a gene from DNA.
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10
Q

Where is mRNA created and where does it go to?

A
  • mRNA created in nucleus.
  • Leaves nucleus/ carries the copy of the genetic code of one gene to a ribosome in the crytoplasm.
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11
Q

What are the 2 main reasons as to why DNA cannot leave the nucleus and go to the ribosomes to give the code for specific proteins? Why CAN mRNA leave nucleus and go to ribosomes in cytoplasm?

A

1.) DNA = Too large so cannot pass out of nucleus whereas, mRNA = much shorter so can leave nucleus.
2.) DNA = at risk of being damaged by enzymes in cytoplasm (hydrolysed) - this would destroy the genetic code permanently. So, instead mRNA (copy of gene) is temporarily used to help create a protein before any enzymes break it down.

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12
Q

Why is mRNA much shorter than DNA?

A
  • mRNA is much shorter than DNA because it is only the length of one gene (DNA has thousands of genes!)

() extra info for clarification.

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13
Q

What is meant by the fact that mRNA is short-lived?

A
  • This means it is broken down/ hydrolysed quickly.
  • But, mRNA is only temporarily needed (because its just a copy of the genetic code) to help create a protein (so, by the time the enzyme breaks it down, it would have already carried out its function.)
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14
Q

What is the structure of mRNA?

A
  • Single- stranded.
  • Every 3 bases in the sequence code for a specific amino acid.
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15
Q

What are the three bases in mRNA that code for a specific amino acid called?

A
  • Codons.
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16
Q

What does mRNA stand for?

A
  • Messenger RNA.
17
Q

True or False

tRNA is found in cytoplasm and nucleus.

A
  • False
  • tRNA is only found in the cytoplasm.
18
Q

What is the structure/ shape of tRNA?

A
  • Single- stranded.
  • Folded to create shape that looks like cloverleaf.
  • The cloverleap shape is held in place by hydrogen bonds.
19
Q

What is the function of tRNA?

A
  • Attaches onto one of the 20 amino acids and transfers specific amino acids to mRNA (in ribosome) to create polypeptide chain.
20
Q

How is it ensured that tRNA transfers the specific amino acid needed to be part of the polypeptide chain made by mRNA?

A
  • Specific amino acids attach to specific tRNA molecules - at amino acid binding site.
  • This is determined by 3 bases found on tRNA which are complementary to the 3 bases on mRNA.
  • These 3 bases on tRNA are called the anticodon.
21
Q

What does tRNA stand for?

A
  • Transfer RNA.
22
Q

What does rRNA stand for?

A
  • Ribosomal RNA.
23
Q

What is function of rRNA?

A
  • Combines with protein to form a ribosome.
24
Q

Give two differences between the RNA/ DNA monomers (ie. their nucleotides.)

A
  • DNA contains base thymine whereas, RNA contains uracil instead.
  • DNA contains pentose sugar: deoxyribose whereas, RNA contains pentose sugar: ribose.
25
Q

Give two differences between the DNA/ RNA polymers.

A
  • DNA is much larger (contains many genes) whereas, RNA is much shorter (mRNA is only length of one gene. )
  • DNA is double- stranded whereas, RNA is single- stranded.

Biology A LEVEL (27 decks)

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