RNA Flashcards
is RNA a polymer or a monomer?
polymer - polymer of a nucleotide formed of ribose, nitrogenous base, phosphate group
what is the difference between rna and atp
function:
atp is used by cells as energy source
rna important in protein synthesis
phosphate groups:
atp has three phosphate groups
rna has only one phosphate group
structure
atp is a single molecule
dna is a polynculeotide chain
bases:
atp has only adensoine base
rna has four nitrogenous bases (adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine
what are the three types of RNA
- mRNA
- tRNA
- rRNA
compare RNA and DNA
RNA is a ribose sugar, whereas, DNA is a deoxyribose sugar
RNA contains the base uracil, whereas, DNA contains the base thymine
RNA is not associated with histones, whereas, DNA is associated with histones
DNA is larger, whereas, RNA is shorter
DNA is double stranded helix, whereas, RNA is single stranded
what is mRNA
a copy of a gene from DNA
where is mRNA created?
in the nucleus
what does mRNA do?
- leaves nucleus
- to carry copy of the genetic code of one gene
- to ribosome in cytoplasm
why is mRNA needed?
- DNA is too large to leave the nculeus
- mRNA is shorter and can therefore leave the nucleus
where is tRNA found?
cytoplasm
describe the structure of tRNA
- single stranded, folded to cloverleaf shape
- held together by hydrogen bonds
- contains paired bases
what is the function of tRNA?
- to attach to one of the 20 amino acids
- and transfer amino acid to ribosome
- to create polypeptide chain
compare mRNA and tRNA?
mRNA is a straight molecule, whereas, tRNA is folded into clover leaf shape
mRNA does not contain paired bases, whereas, tRNA does contain paired bases
mRNA is found in nucleus + cytoplasm, whereas, tRNA is only found in nucleus
tRNA has anticodon which binds to the matching codon on mRNA (by base pairing)
