WEEK 13: 13.1 DNA Structure & RNA Structure

Question 1

Describe the general structure of DNA

Answer 1

it is double-stranded, helix shape, two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds

Question 2

What are the deoxyribonucleotides that DNA is made up of?

Answer 2

A, G, C, T

Question 3

What are the ribonucleotides RNA is made up of?

Answer 3

A, G, C, U (instead of T)

Question 4

What does the orientation/polarity of each single strand defined by?

Answer 4

5’ end and 3’ end

Question 5

Different base sequences (AGCT) can encode what?

Answer 5

different proteins

Question 6

What is the ‘backbone’ of DNA, and what is in the middle?

Answer 6

Sugar phosphate backbone
nucleotides in the middle

Question 7

What are carbons in the sugar component identified as?

Answer 7

1’, 2’, 3’, 4’, 5’

Question 8

Two strands run?

Answer 8

antiparallel (opposite orientations)

Question 9

Why isn’t an RNA straight?

Answer 9

Irregular twists from hydrogen bonds within an RNA molecule mean it isn’t straight

Question 10

What can RNA be translated to?

Answer 10

RNA –> messenger which is translated into a protein
RNA is a final functional product eg. tRNA, rRNA

Question 11

How is RNA produced?

Answer 11

genes in DNA are transcribed by enzymes (like RNA polymerase) to create RNA