Nucleotides and nucleic acids

• What are the three components of a nucleotide?

  Pentose sugar, nitrogenous base, phosphate group

  
• What elements do nucleotides contain?

  Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus

  
• What type of biological molecule are nucleotides?

  They are biological molecules
• What do nucleotides make up?

  DNA and RNA

  
• What are the special types of nucleotides used for energy storage?

  ADP and ATP
• What is the pentose sugar in DNA nucleotides?

  Deoxyribose

  
• What nitrogenous bases are found in DNA?

  A, T, C, G

  
• How many polynucleotide chains does DNA have?

  Two polynucleotide chains
• What is the primary function of DNA?

  To store genetic information
• What is the pentose sugar in RNA nucleotides?

  Ribose

  
• What nitrogenous bases are found in RNA?

  A, U, C, G

  
• What is the structure of RNA nucleotides?

  Single polynucleotide chain
• What is the role of RNA?

  To make proteins from DNA instructions

  
• What links nucleotides together in a polynucleotide?

  Phosphate groups

  
• What type of bond forms between nucleotides?

  Phosphodiester bond

  
• What reaction joins nucleotides together?

  Condensation reaction
• How can phosphodiester bonds be broken?

  Using hydrolysis reactions
• What is the structure of DNA?

  Two polynucleotide strands forming a double helix

  
• How do the two strands of DNA join together?

  By hydrogen bonds between bases

  
• What is complementary base pairing?

  A pairs with T, C pairs with G
• How many hydrogen bonds form between A and T?

  Two hydrogen bonds
• How many hydrogen bonds form between C and G?

  Three hydrogen bonds
• What does it mean for DNA strands to be antiparallel?

  They run in opposite directions

  
• What is the role of DNA helicase in replication?

  It breaks hydrogen bonds between strands

  
• What happens during DNA replication?

  DNA copies itself before cell division
• What is semi-conservative replication?

  Each new DNA has one old and one new strand
• What can cause mutations during replication?

  Incorrect base pairing
• What is the function of mRNA?

  To carry genetic information from DNA

  
• How do RNA nucleotides differ from DNA nucleotides?

  RNA has ribose, DNA has deoxyribose

  
• What happens to RNA after protein synthesis?

  RNA molecules are degraded in the cytoplasm
• What is the role of uracil in RNA?

  It replaces thymine in RNA

  
• What is a mutation?

  An incorrect sequence in the newly copied strand
• What is the triplet code in DNA?

  The sequence of DNA nucleotide bases in a gene
• What are the steps of DNA replication?

  1. DNA helicase breaks hydrogen bonds, unzipping DNA.
  2. Each strand serves as a template for new strands.
  3. Free nucleotides pair with exposed bases.
  4. DNA polymerase joins nucleotides, forming the backbone.
  5. Two new DNA molecules are formed, each with one old and one new strand.

  
• What are the roles of enzymes in DNA replication?

  • DNA helicase unwinds DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds.
  • DNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds.
  • Enzymes ensure accurate and efficient replication.

  
• What are the differences between DNA and RNA?

  • DNA: deoxyribose sugar, double-stranded, A, T, C, G bases.
  • RNA: ribose sugar, single-stranded, A, U, C, G bases.

  
• What is the significance of complementary base pairing in DNA?

  • Ensures accurate replication.
  • Maintains genetic information consistency.
  • A pairs with T, C pairs with G.
• What is the importance of mutations in DNA replication?

  • Can lead to new traits.
  • May cause abnormal proteins.
  • Random and spontaneous occurrences.
• What is the genetic code?

  • Sequence of DNA nucleotide bases.
  • Codes for amino acid sequences in proteins.
  • Fundamental for physical and biochemical characteristics.
• What happens to RNA molecules after protein synthesis?

  They are degraded in the cytoplasm