AP Bio Unit 1 DNA v RNA

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids; made of a phosphate, sugar, and nitrogenous base.

Nucleic acid

A polymer made of nucleotides; includes DNA and RNA.

3 parts of a nucleotide

Phosphate group + pentose sugar + nitrogenous base.

Pentose sugar

A 5-carbon sugar found in nucleotides.

DNA sugar

Deoxyribose; it has one less oxygen than ribose.

RNA sugar

Ribose; it has one more oxygen than deoxyribose.

DNA bases

A, T, C, and G.

RNA bases

A, U, C, and G.

DNA structure

Double-stranded and antiparallel.

RNA structure

Usually single-stranded.

Antiparallel

DNA strands run in opposite directions.

DNA base pairing

A pairs with T; C pairs with G.

RNA base pairing

A pairs with U; C pairs with G.

DNA base pairing bonds

Complementary bases are held together by hydrogen bonds.

Uracil (U)

The RNA base that replaces thymine.

Thymine (T)

The DNA base that replaces uracil.

DNA vs. RNA sugar

DNA has deoxyribose; RNA has ribose.

DNA vs. RNA bases

DNA uses thymine; RNA uses uracil.

DNA vs. RNA strands

DNA is double-stranded; RNA is usually single-stranded.

Nucleic acid backbone

A chain of alternating sugars and phosphates.

Nucleic acid function

DNA stores genetic information; RNA helps express genetic information.