Nucleic Acid Flashcards
Function of DNA
To replace and store genetic information . DNA houses all the genetic information in an organism
RNA function
To convert the genetic information housed in DNA to a format that is used to build proteins.
How is RNA produced?
RNA is produced by DNA transcription inside a cell. New RNA sequences complement DNA templates. RNA is then translated into proteins by the ribosomes.
Different types of DNA
Nuclear DNA, located in the cell nucleus
mtDNA, located in the mitochondria used for tracking gene flow and the geographic distribution of genetic variation.
Nucleic acids purpose
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA and ribonucleic acid, RNA. They store and read the genetic information that forms the foundation of life and makes us who we are.
Differences between DNA and RNA
DNA- deoxyribose sugar, two strands arranged in a double helix, the strands are made of nucleotides, each nucleotide contains a phosphate, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base. DNA is stable under alkaline conditions. DNA is much longer, bases are adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.
RNA- ribose sugar,one strand made up of nucleotides. RNA is not stable, bases include A,G,C, and use U instead of T.
Chargaffs rules
Rations of adenine is always equal to thymine (A=T) and guanine is always equal to cytosine (G=C).
Tetranucleotide hypothesis
Protein is the genetic material because with 20 amino acids, protein structure could be variable.
Who discovered the 3D structure of DNA
James Watson, Francis Crick, using the X-ray images taken by Rosalind Franklin.
Example of virus having RNA as DNA
TMV possesses a single molecule of RNA surrounded by a helically arranged cylinder of protein molecules.
Primary structure of DNA
Consists of a string of nucleotides joined together by phosphodiester linkages.
What is a nucleotide
Unit of DNA made up of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.
Sugar can be ribose, has an OH at the 2’carbon, or deoxyribose, has a hydrogen on the 2’ carbon.
Nitrogenous base can be a purine, guanine or adenine, or pyramiding, cytosine, thymine, and uracil.
Phosphate group is a phosphorus atom attached to four oxygen atoms. Makes the DNA acidic due to negative charge.
What type of bond bonds the 5’ phosphate group to the 3’ hydroxyl group on the next nucleotide?
Phosphodiester linkages
Secondary structure of DNA
Refers to its 3D configuration, helical structure. The strands are help together by hydrogen bonds between the bases on opposite strands. Weak in comparison to the phosphodiester bonds connecting the sugar and phosphate groups.
