Objectives I and II

What is the Central Dogma of Biochemistry?

It describes the flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein.

What is the role of DNA in the cell?

DNA stores the permanent blueprint for the cell and is replicated during cell division.

What is the role of RNA in the cell?

RNA is the working copy used for protein synthesis, transcribed from DNA.

What are the major processes in the Central Dogma?

Replication, transcription, and translation

What are nucleic acids made of?

Long linear polymers of nucleotides linked by 3′,5′ phosphodiester bonds.

What are the four bases found in DNA?

Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T).

What are the four bases found in RNA?

Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Uracil (U).

What is the sugar in DNA?

2′-Deoxyribose.

What is the sugar in RNA?

Ribose.

What is the key structural difference between DNA and RNA sugars?

DNA lacks a 2′ hydroxyl group; RNA has a 2′ hydroxyl group.

How are DNA and RNA similar?

Both are composed of nucleotide monomers with a sugar-phosphate backbone.

How are atoms numbered in the nucleotide base vs sugar?

Base atoms: numbered normally (e.g., 1 to 6/9); Sugar atoms: use primes (1′ to 5′).

What type of bond links nucleotide monomers?

3′,5′-phosphodiester bonds.

What is the directionality of nucleic acid strands?

From 5′ (triphosphate end) to 3′ (free hydroxyl group end).

What provides the energy for phosphodiester bond formation?

Hydrolysis of two phosphoanhydride bonds from nucleoside triphosphates.