Nucleic Acid Stucture

Question 1

What is an anticodon?

Answer 1

A sequence of three adjacent nucleotides on a molecule of transfer RNA that is complementary to a particular codon on a messenger RNA molecule

Anticodons ensure the correct amino acid is added during protein synthesis.

Question 2

What does ADP stand for, and what is its role?

Answer 2

A nucleotide which combines in a condensation reaction with a phosphate molecule to form ATP

ADP is crucial for energy transfer in cells.

Question 3

Define ATP.

Answer 3

Nucleotide found in all living organisms, produced during respiration, important in the transfer of energy

ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of the cell.

Question 4

What is a clone?

Answer 4

A group of genetically identical organisms formed from a single parent as a result of asexual reproduction or by artificial means

Cloning can occur naturally or through scientific methods.

Question 5

What is a codon?

Answer 5

A sequence of three adjacent nucleotides in mRNA that codes for one amino acid

Codons are essential for translating genetic information into proteins.

Question 6

Explain complimentary base pairing.

Answer 6

Specific rules for how the bases pair together: Adenine pairs with thymine with 2 hydrogen bonds, Guanine binds with cytosine with 3 hydrogen bonds

This pairing is critical for the structure of DNA.

Question 7

What is complimentary DNA?

Answer 7

DNA that is made from messenger RNA in a process that is the reverse of normal transcription

This process is important for certain types of genetic research.

Question 8

Define condensation in a chemical context.

Answer 8

A chemical process in which two molecules combine to form a more complex one with the elimination of a simple substance, usually water

Condensation reactions are common in biological processes.

Question 9

What is conjunction in genetics?

Answer 9

The transfer of DNA from one cell to another by means of a thin tube between the two

This process is significant in bacterial genetics.

Question 10

What is DNA?

Answer 10

Deoxyribonucleic acid, present in nearly all living organisms as the carrier of genetic information, structured as a double helix

DNA contains the genetic blueprint for life.

Question 11

What is the role of DNA helicase?

Answer 11

An enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the bases, causing the two strands of DNA to separate

This action is essential for DNA replication.

Question 12

What does DNA polymerase do?

Answer 12

Enzyme that joins DNA nucleotides together in a condensation reaction during DNA replication

DNA polymerase is crucial for synthesizing new DNA strands.

Question 13

Describe DNA replication.

Answer 13

The process in which the double helix of a DNA molecule unwinds and each strand acts as a template for a new strand

This ensures genetic information is accurately copied.

Question 14

What is the structure of a double helix?

Answer 14

Structure of DNA made up of 2 strands of nucleotides running in opposite directions

The double helix structure is fundamental to DNA’s function.

Question 15

Define an enzyme.

Answer 15

A protein or RNA that acts as a catalyst, altering the speed of a biochemical reaction

Enzymes are essential for metabolic processes.

Question 16

What is a gene?

Answer 16

A section of DNA on a chromosome coding for one or more polypeptide

Genes are the basic units of heredity.

Question 17

Define genotype.

Answer 17

The genetic composition of an organism

The genotype determines the potential traits of an organism.

Question 18

What is a hydrogen bond?

Answer 18

Chemical bond formed between the positive charge on a hydrogen atom and the negative charge on another atom of an adjacent molecule

Hydrogen bonds are crucial for the stability of DNA.

Question 19

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 19

The breaking down of large molecules into smaller ones by the addition of water

Hydrolysis is important in digestion and metabolism.

Question 20

What is mitosis?

Answer 20

The type of nuclear division in which the daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell

Mitosis is essential for growth and repair in organisms.

Question 21

Define a mutagen.

Answer 21

Any agent that induces a mutation

Mutagens can be physical, chemical, or biological.

Question 22

What is a mutation?

Answer 22

A sudden change in the amount or the arrangement of the genetic material in the cell

Mutations can lead to variations in traits.

Question 23

What are nucleotides?

Answer 23

Complex chemicals made up of an organic base, a sugar, and a phosphate; the basic units of nucleic acids DNA and RNA

Nucleotides are the building blocks of genetic material.

Question 24

What is an organic base?

Answer 24

Part of a nucleotide - either adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil

Organic bases are critical for base pairing in DNA and RNA.

Question 25

What is pentose?

Answer 25

A sugar that possesses five carbon atoms ## Footnote Pentose sugars are found in nucleotides.

Question 26

Define a peptide bond.

Answer 26

The chemical bond formed between two amino acids during condensation ## Footnote Peptide bonds link amino acids to form proteins.

Question 27

What is a phenotype?

Answer 27

The characteristics of an organism, often visible, resulting from both its genotype and the effects of the environment ## Footnote Phenotypes can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Question 28

What is a phosphodiester bond?

Answer 28

The bond formed by a condensation reaction between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the pentose sugar of another nucleotide ## Footnote Phosphodiester bonds create the backbone of DNA and RNA.

Question 29

What is a polynucleotide?

Answer 29

A polymer of monomers called nucleotides ## Footnote Polynucleotides form the structure of DNA and RNA.

Question 30

What is the primary structure of a protein?

Answer 30

The sequence of amino acids that makes up the polypeptides of a protein ## Footnote The primary structure determines the protein's properties.

Question 31

Define the quaternary structure of a protein.

Answer 31

A number of polypeptide chains linked together, sometimes associated with non-protein groups to form a protein ## Footnote This structure is crucial for the function of many proteins.

Question 32

What is RNA?

Answer 32

A polynucleotide which contains nucleotides that have the pentose sugar ribose and the bases adenine, uracil, guanine, or cytosine ## Footnote RNA plays various roles in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Question 33

What does RNA polymerase do?

Answer 33

Enzyme that joins together nucleotides to form messenger RNA during transcription ## Footnote RNA polymerase is essential for synthesizing RNA from DNA.

Question 34

What is the secondary structure of a protein?

Answer 34

The way in which the chain of amino acids of the polypeptides of a protein is folded ## Footnote Secondary structures include alpha helices and beta sheets.

Question 35

Define semi-conservative replication.

Answer 35

The means by which DNA makes exact copies of itself by unwinding the double helix so that each chain acts as a template for the next ## Footnote This method ensures genetic fidelity.

Question 36

What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

Answer 36

The folding of a whole polypeptide chain in a precise way, as determined by the amino acids of which it is composed ## Footnote This structure is critical for the protein's functionality.

Question 37

What is transcription?

Answer 37

Formation of messenger RNA molecules from the DNA that makes up a particular gene ## Footnote Transcription is the first step in gene expression.