SP7

• What is the basic structure of a nucleotide?

  Sugar + base + phosphate

  
• What is a nucleoside?

  Sugar + base
• What sugar is found in RNA?

  Ribose
• What sugar is found in DNA?

  Deoxyribose
• What nitrogenous base is part of the cytidine nucleotide?

  Cytosine

  
• What type of bond joins nucleotides together?

  Phosphodiester bond

  
• What is the role of RNA in relation to DNA?

  Helps convert DNA into proteins
• What is the primary structure of DNA composed of?

  Nucleotides (ATCG)
• How are DNA strands oriented?

  They run antiparallel
• What base pairs with adenine in DNA?

  Thymine
• How many hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine?

  Three hydrogen bonds
• What is the directionality of DNA strands?

  5’ to 3’ direction

  
• What is the significance of the major groove in DNA?

  It provides binding sites for enzymes

  
• What do intercalating drugs do to DNA?

  Disrupt the shape of the helix

  
• What is the function of topoisomerase II?

  Crucial for replication and mitosis
• What is the role of DAPI in DNA studies?

  Binds to DNA and fluoresces
• How is DNA considered a language?

  It encodes biological messages
• What is gene expression?

  Transcribing DNA into RNA and proteins

  
• What percentage of the human genome is made up of genes?

  ~2%
• What is non-functional DNA often referred to as?

  Junk DNA
• Why is non-coding DNA considered important?

  May regulate gene activity
• What are the primary and secondary structures of DNA?

  Primary Structure:

  • Nucleotides (ATCG) joined by phosphodiester bonds

  
  

  Secondary Structure:

  • Antiparallel strands
  • Hydrogen bonding between base pairs (A-T, C-G)
  • Double helix formation

  
• What are the characteristics of intercalating drugs?

  • Contain planar aromatic ring systems
  • Slip between nucleic acid base pairs
  • Disrupt DNA helix shape
  • Prevent replication and transcription
• What is the process of gene expression?

  1. Transcription: DNA to RNA
  2. Translation: RNA to protein

  
• What are the functions of DNA?

  • Carrier of genetic information
  • Contains genes for RNA and protein synthesis
  • Encodes biological messages
• What are the two types of DNA grooves and their significance?

  • Minor groove: 1.2 nm wide
  • Major groove: 2.2 nm wide
  • Major groove is accessible for enzyme binding

  
• What is the role of non-coding DNA in evolution?

  • May be crucial for long-term evolution
  • Highly conserved among related species