Structure, Function and Replication of DNA Flashcards
(116 cards)
3´–OH terminus
End of a polynucleotide that terminates with an -OH.
Attached to 3´-carbon of the sugar
5´–P terminus
End of polynucleotide that terminates w/ a mono-, di- or
triphosphate attached to 5´-carbon of the sugar
β-N-glycosidic bond
Linkage between base and sugar of a nucleotide.
adenine
Purine base found in DNA and RNA.
A-form DNA
Not common in cellular DNA, only found in dehydrating conditions
antiparallel
Refers to opposite directional arrangement of 2 polynucleotide strands in double helix (5’ to 3’ & 3’ to 5’)
Base pairing
Attachment of one polynucleotide to another, or one part of one to another part of the same polynucleotide, by base pairs.
B-form DNA
Commonest structural conformation of the DNA double helix in living cells
Complementary
Refers to two nucleotides or nucleotide sequences that are able to base-pair with one another.
Cytosine
One of the pyrimidine bases found in DNA and RNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
One of two forms of nucleic acid in living cells;
genetic material for all cellular life & many viruses
Guanine
Purine nucleotide found in DNA and RNA.
Hydrogen bond
Weak electrostatic attraction between an electronegative atom (e.g. Oxygen/nitrogen) and a hydrogen atom attached to a second electronegative atom
Major groove
Larger of two grooves that spiral around the surface of the Bform of DNA.
Minor groove
Smaller of two grooves that spiral around the surface of the Bform of DNA
Monomer
One of the structural units that are joined together to form a polymer
Nucleoside
Purine/pyrimidine base attached to 5-C sugar
Nucleotide
Purine/pyrimidine base attached to 5-C sugar, to which a mono-, di-, or triphosphate is also attached. The monomeric unit of DNA and RNA.
Pentose
Sugar comprising five carbon atoms.
Phosphodiester bond
Chemical link between adjacent nucleotides in a
polynucleotide.
Polymer
Compound made up of a long chain of identical or similar units.
Polynucleotide
Single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule.
Purine/pyramidine
One of two types of nitrogenous base found in nucleotides.
Thymine
One of the pyrimidine bases found in DNA