DNA and RNA

• What are the two main types of nucleic acids?

  DNA and RNA
• What is the primary function of DNA?

  To carry genetic information
• What is the structure of a nucleotide?

  Contains sugar, phosphate, and a base
• What sugar is found in RNA?

  Ribose
• What is a key difference between RNA and DNA regarding their strands?

  RNA has a single polynucleotide strand
• Which base in RNA replaces thymine found in DNA?

  Uracil
• How do adenine and thymine pair in DNA?

  They pair through hydrogen bonds
• What is complementary base pairing?

  Specific bases pair with each other
• What are the two specific base pairings in DNA?

  Adenine pairs with thymine, guanine pairs with cytosine
• What is the orientation of the two polynucleotide strands in DNA?

  They are antiparallel
• What structure do two antiparallel strands of DNA form?

  A DNA double helix
• What are the main differences between DNA and RNA?

  • DNA is double-stranded; RNA is single-stranded
  • DNA contains deoxyribose; RNA contains ribose
  • DNA has thymine; RNA has uracil
• When was DNA first discovered?

  In the 1860s
• What was the significant discovery about DNA in 1953?

  It was determined to be the genetic code carrier
• Who determined the double helix structure of DNA?

  James Watson and Francis Crick
• What caused doubt among scientists regarding DNA as the genetic code carrier?

  They believed it couldn't carry varied information
• What are the four possible bases in DNA?

  Adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine
• What are the four possible bases in RNA?

  Adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine
• What type of bond is present in a polynucleotide chain?

  Consists of two ester bonds and a phosphate group
• How is a DNA double helix formed?

  From two polynucleotide strands joining
• What is the sugar in DNA?

  Deoxyribose
• What is the function of ribosomes?

  To synthesize proteins
• What is the significance of hydrogen bonds in DNA?

  They hold the two strands together
• Why is the double helix structure important for DNA's function?

  It allows for stable storage of genetic information