Structure and function of nucleic acids Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are the two main types of nitrogenous bases?
Purine and pyrimidine.
Define nucleosides.
Nucleosides consist of a nitrogenous base attached to a sugar.
What are nucleotides?
Nucleotides are nucleosides with one or more phosphate groups attached.
What are minor bases?
Minor bases are less common nitrogenous bases found in nucleic acids.
List the types and biological functions of free nucleotides.
- Energy carriers (e.g., ATP)
- Signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP)
- Building blocks for nucleic acids.
What is the primary structure of nucleic acids?
The primary structure of nucleic acids refers to the linear sequence of nucleotides.
What is the Watson and Crick model?
The Watson and Crick model describes the double helix structure of DNA.
What are purine and pyrimidine analogues?
Purine and pyrimidine analogues are compounds that mimic the structure of these bases and have therapeutic actions.
What are the conformational forms of DNA?
Conformational forms of DNA include B-DNA, A-DNA, and Z-DNA.
What are unusual DNA structures?
Unusual DNA structures include G-quadruplexes and triplex DNA.
What are histone proteins?
Histone proteins are proteins that help package DNA into nucleosomes.
What is a nucleosome?
A nucleosome is a structural unit of chromatin, consisting of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.
What is chromatin?
Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus.
Define denaturation of DNA.
Denaturation of DNA is the process of separating the two strands of the double helix.
What is renaturation of DNA?
Renaturation of DNA is the process of re-forming the double helix after denaturation.
What are the types of RNA?
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
What is the role of RNA?
RNA plays roles in protein synthesis and gene regulation.
What are ribozymes?
Ribozymes are RNA molecules that have catalytic activity.
What is an application of ribozymes in medicine?
Ribozymes can be used in targeted gene therapy.
