DNA structure

Question 2

What are nucleic acids?

Answer 2

Large molecules that hold genetic information
Chain of smaller nucleotides

Question 3

What are the three main parts of a DNA nucelotide?

Answer 3

Sugar group + Phosphate group + Nitrogenous group

Question 4

If we compare DNA to a ladder,

What are the sides of the ladder? What are the rungs of the ladder?

Answer 4

Sides: Sugar-phosphate backbone
(nucleotides attached together with covalent bonds into a single strand)
Rungs: Hygrogen bonds between complementary nitrogen-rich bases
(attaches two DNA strands into a double-helix)

Question 5

What are the 4 different DNA nucleotides?

Answer 5

A, T, C, G
Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine

same EXCEPT their nitrogen-rich base

Question 6

How are the two strands on DNA (way)? When do we know when the DNA ends?

Answer 6

• Antiparallel
• End of DNA strand = free Phosphate (5’ end) or free Sugar group (3’ end)