Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What are individual nucleotides made up of?
- A phosphate group,
- A pentose sugar,
- A nitrogen-containing organic base.
What is the bond formed between the deoxyribose sugar of one mononucleotide and the phosphate group of another called?
A phosphodiester bond
What is a chain of nucleotides called?
A polynucleotide
What is the pentose sugar called in DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What are the bonds that form between the organic bases?
Hydrogen bonds
Name two reasons why DNA is a stable molecule.
- The phosphodiester backbone protects the more chemically reactive organic bases inside the double helix,
- 2 or 3 hydrogen bonds hold the strands together
Name 5 ways the structure of DNA is adapted to its function
- Stable structure,
- The hydrogen bonds can separate during replication,
- Large, carries large amounts of genetic information,
- Base pairs are protected by the phosphodiester backbone from chemical and physical forces,
- Base pairing allows DNA to replicate and transfer information by mRNA.
What are the 2 stages in DNA replication?
Nuclear division and cytokinesis.
What are the four requirements for semi-conservative replication?
- Nucleotide bases must be present,
- Both strands of DNA act as a template for the attachment of these nucleotides,
- The enzyme DNA polymerase,
- A source of chemical energy.
What is the function of DNA helicase?
Breaks the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs in DNA.
What is the function of DNA polymerase?
The free-nucleotides are joined together by a condensation reaction by DNA polymerase.
What is the structure of ATP?
- Adenine,
- Ribose,
- Phosphates.
What catalyses the reaction for ADP to ATP?
ATP synthase.
Why is ATP a better immediate energy source compared to glucose?
- Each ATP releases small manageable amounts of energy,
- Provides immediate energy.
What is the charge on the oxygen molecule in water?
Slight negative
