RNA, transcription and translation

Question 1

What are the differences between DNA and RNA?

Answer 1

• DNA is double-stranded and RNA is single-stranded
• DNA is an information storage unit and RNA is a
  functioning molecule.
• DNA contains the base thymine and RNA contains
  uracil in its place.
• RNA can form stem-loops (eg tRNA)
• RNA has non-standard bases

Question 2

How can RNA form complex molecules?

Answer 2

Through Watson and Crick base pairing and other nucleotide linkages

Question 3

What are the three main types of DNA?

Answer 3

• rRNA: Non-coding. Highly conserved.
• tRNA: Non-coding. Highly conserved. Clover shape,
  lots of modified bases.
• mRNA: Coding. No specific structure,
  thermodynamically stable.

Question 4

Central dogma

Answer 4

The process and theory by which instructions in the DNA are converted into a functional product in a one-directional flow. Eg, DNA -> RNA -> protein.

Question 5

What is a gene?

Answer 5

One functional unit that can code for RNA or polypeptide synthesis.