1.7 nucleic acids

what makes up the genetic material of living organisms

DNA

what are the monomer subunits called in DNA

nucleotides

what is built up of many nucleotides but differ from DNA because they have different pentose sugars and bases

RNA

what do nucleotides consist of

pentose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base

DNA bases

A,G,C,T

RNA bases

A,G,C,U

what forms the backbone of DNA molecules

the sugar and phosphate groups being identical all the way along the chain

what forms the genetic code

the sequence of bases in the chain varying

what gives DNA a large capacity for storing genetic information

different organisms having different lengths and any base sequence

why is DNA universal

because the genetic code carried in the sequence of bases that make a DNA molecule is similar across all forms of life

adenine pairs with thymine and needs how many hydrogen bonds

2

cytosine always pairs with guanine and needs how many hydrogen bonds

3

what is the pairing of bases in DNA and RNA called

complementary base pairing

the 2 DNA chains run in opposite directions meaning it is…

antiparallel

what is the basic material of inheritance

DNA

where is DNA contained

the nucleus in eukaryotes and the cytoplasm of prokaryotes

what is a nucleotide

the basic chemical unit of a nucleic acid

→ an organic base combined with pentose sugar and phosphate

compare and contrast DNA and RNA

DNA

• contains deoxyribose

• A,G,C,T

• double-stranded

RNA

• contains ribose

• A,G,C,U

• single-stranded

the process in which the genome’s DNA is copied in cells is called what

DNA replication

when a cell divides and the genetic code is passed on to the daughter cells, what is it called

DNA replication

what is the enzyme called that unzips the DNA molecule when going through DNA replication

helicase

each of 2 partner strands of DNA acting as a template for a new strand

semi-conservative replication

be able to draw what it looks like lil bro

what is complementary base pairing also crucial for

gene expression

what does nucleosome refer to

a part of a eukaryotic chromosome, made of DNA wrapped around histone molecules and held in place by another histone protein

where is DNA found in eukaryotes

the nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane

what are the 3 key functions of histones

• packaging of DNA

• gene regulation

• supercoiling DNA during cell division

a nitrogenous base such as cytosine, thymine, or uracil found in nucleic acids

pyrimidines

a nitrogenous base such as adenine or guanine found in nucleic acids

purines

the 4 DNA bases fall into 2 chemical groups. What are they

pyrimidines and purines

what ensures that the strands of DNA are always the same distance apart

the pairing of pyrimidine with a purine