dna

• What shape does DNA form?

  A double helix
• What is a nucleotide?

  A monomer that makes up DNA
• What are the three parts of a nucleotide?

  A phosphate, a sugar, and a base
• What are the four different bases found in DNA?

  Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G)
• How do nucleotides combine to form a polymer?

  The phosphate of one nucleotide bonds to the sugar of the next nucleotide
• What is the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA?

  A long chain formed by the sugars and phosphates of nucleotides
• What role do the bases play in the structure of DNA?

  The bases hold the two strands of the double helix together
• What is complementary base pairing?

  It is the pairing of specific bases: A with T and C with G
• If a DNA strand reads A G T G C T T A C, what is the complementary strand?

  T C A C G A A T G
• What does the term genetic code refer to?

  The sequence of bases in DNA
• What is a gene?

  A particular sequence of bases that codes for a specific protein
• What is a triplet in the context of DNA?

  A group of three bases that codes for a specific amino acid
• How does a cell read a DNA sequence to form a protein?

  By reading the sequence as a series of triplet codes
• What happens to the amino acids after they are coded from the DNA sequence?

  They are combined in the same order as the triplets
• What is the final step in protein formation?

  The long chain of amino acids folds up to form a protein
• Why do different proteins have unique shapes?

  Because each type is made from a different sequence of amino acids
• What are the main uses of proteins in the body?

  • Enzymes: act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions
  • Hormones: carry messages around the body
  • Structural proteins: add strength to cells and tissues