nucleic acid Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are nucleic acids made up of?
Nucleic acids are made up of repeating units of nucleotides.
Nucleic acids were first discovered in the nucleus of cells.
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids called?
Nucleotides
Nucleotides consist of one to three phosphate groups, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base.
What are the components of a nucleotide?
- One to three phosphate groups
- A five-carbon sugar
- A nitrogen-containing base
What types of sugars can be found in nucleotides?
Ribose and deoxyribose
What sugar is found in DNA?
Deoxyribose
What sugar is found in RNA?
Ribose
What are nitrogenous bases?
Aromatic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
What are the two categories of nitrogenous bases?
- Purines
- Pyrimidines
What are purines composed of?
Two rings
What are pyrimidines composed of?
One ring
Which nitrogenous bases are found in both DNA and RNA?
- Adenine
- Guanine
- Cytosine
Which nitrogenous base is found only in DNA?
Thymine
Which nitrogenous base is found only in RNA?
Uracil
What is the structure of DNA?
A double-stranded structure with strands running antiparallel.
What is the primary function of DNA?
To carry genetic information.
How is genetic information stored in DNA?
Within the sequences of nucleotides.
What is the structure of RNA?
Comprised of one strand.
What is rRNA?
Ribosomal RNA, the most abundant type of RNA.
What is the primary role of tRNA?
Used for the synthesis of proteins.
What does mRNA do?
Serves as the copy of information in DNA that can be translated into an amino acid sequence.
What are the most notable nucleic acids in organisms?
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Fill in the blank: The building blocks of nucleic acids are called _______.
nucleotides
Fill in the blank: This is the sugar found in DNA: _______.
deoxyribose
