structure and function of nucleic acids Flashcards
summarise the importance of nucleic acids
-Important macromolecule in the nucleus of cells
-Storage and expression of genetic information
what are nucleosides?
building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
They consist of a five-carbon sugar molecule, known as a pentose, attached to a nitrogenous base
what are the 2 nucleosides?
Deoxyribose
Ribose
Deoxyribose describe
pentose sugar has a hydrogen atom attached to carbon number 2
monomers of DNA
ribose describe
hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to carbon number 2
Ribose-containing nucleotides, known as ribonucleotides, are the monomers of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid).
Nucleoside – part 2/2
consist of heterocyclic ring structures with carbon and nitrogen atoms.
In DNA what are the 4 bases
AT
CG
In dna which are the purines
adenine and guanine
in dna which are the pyrmadines
thymine and cytosine
in RNA what are the bases
AG (PURINES)
UC( PYRAMDINES)
Nucleotide – part 1/3
molecules consisting of three main components: a five-carbon sugar (pentose), a nitrogenous base, and one or more phosphate groups.
What are the two pentose suagrs found in nucleotides
Deoxyribose
Ribose
The bonding between nitrogenous bases in DNA is crucial why?
maintaining the structure and stability of the DNA molecule.
The bonding between nitrogenous bases in DNA is crucial why? (2)
hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs help keep the two DNA strands at a fixed distance from each other along the entire length of the double helix
specific pairing of A-T and G-C bases allows the bases to fit together exactly, forming stable hydrogen bonds. This precise pairing ensures the accuracy of DNA replication
Erwin Chargaff determined that
amount of adenine (A) = amount of thymine (T)
amount of cytosine (C) = amount of guanine (G)
