Nucleic Acids

Question 1

What is DNA

Answer 1

Deoxyribonucleic acid 
- nucleic acid, made from a double helix
- responsible for holding genetic/hereditary information
- dictates how and what a cell does
Nucleic acid, macro molecule

Question 2

What are nucleic acids? Give two examples

Answer 2

• acids made from nucleotides
  - consists of polymers (long repeating
  strands of molecules
• store and express genetic information
• comes in two types: DNA, or RNA

Question 3

What are polymers

Answer 3

Repeating, long molecules

Question 4

What are monomers

Answer 4

Parts that are repeated in a polymers

In DNA that would be a nucleotide

Question 5

Structure of a nucleotide

Answer 5

1. Phosphate group
2. Penrose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose)
3. Nitrogen base

They are held together by strong, covalent bonds

Question 6

What is a purine

Example?

Answer 6

Its a type of nitrogen base found in nucleotides
Larger, double ringed
Guanine, Adendine

Question 7

What are pyramidines

Answer 7

Type of nitrogen base found in nucleotides
Smaller, single ring
Thymine cytosine uracil

Question 8

Why do nitrogen bases pair up in specific pairs

Answer 8

They are connected by a specif amount of weak hydrogen bonds that are very specific
Ie. Guanine and cytosjne have 3 each, adendine thymine have 2 each

Question 9

Difference between DNA and RNA

Answer 9

Dna: found in nucleus, stabilizes itself by bonding with a nitrogen band, main component of Gene’s

Rna: found in nucleus, short term molecule (can exist outside of the nucleus, dies quickly) doesnt stabilize itself, holds the information for making proteins
(Read by ribosomes)

Question 10

Hereditary?

Answer 10

Process of passing down traits from parents to offspring

Question 11

Gene’s? Structure of Gene’s? Genetics?

Answer 11

Genetic information that codes for a specific trait
consist of DNA, found in chromosomes
Genetics is the study of hereditability and variations of traits

Question 12

Locus loci

Answer 12

Location of a gene/allele on a chromosome

Question 13

Homologous chromosomes

Answer 13

Same type of chromosome/same structure

Question 14

Allele

Answer 14

Variant of a gene

Question 15

Diploid 2n

Answer 15

2 sets of chromosomes
the n stands for the types of chromosomes.
- Humans have 23 types of chromosomes (n = 23) and they are all in pairs; so the equation is 2n = 46 (2 x 23 = 46)

Question 16

Haploid n

Answer 16

Half the normal amount of chromosomes
Eg. Gametes are haploid, they only contain 23 chromosomes
n = 23

Question 17

Polyploid

Answer 17

Three or more sets of chromosomes

Question 18

Asexual reproduction, pros cons

Answer 18

New individual is produced from a single organism through cell division (creates genetically identical clones/daughter cells)

Pros: quick, independent, easy, dont have to rely on anyone
Cons: lack of genetic diversity, weaker against environmental changes, smaller change oc survival

Ex. Some plants have both male and female reproductive organs, so they fertilize themselves (eg. pea plants ahve both stames (produce pollents) and another egg thing. When it self fertilizes its true breeding; the seeds grow into the exact phenotype of the pea plant)

Question 19

Sexual reproduction pros and cons

Answer 19

New individual is created by the fusion of 2 gametes, from two separate organisms

Pros: genetic diversity, stronger chance of surviva, stronger
Cons: mating takes a lot of time and effort