DNA and RNA Structure Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure of DNA and RNA, including nitrogenous bases, bonding, and molecular orientation based on the Genetic Continuity lecture.

Levene

The scientist who first discovered that DNA is composed of repeating units known as nucleotides.

Nucleotide

The repeating unit of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases.

Deoxyribose

The specific sugar molecule found in the nucleotides of DNA.

Double Helix

The shape of a DNA molecule, formed by two complementary strands of nucleotides wound together like a spiral ladder.

Purines

A category of nitrogenous bases that are double-ringed, which includes Guanine (G) and Adenine (A).

Pyrimidines

A category of nitrogenous bases that are single-ringed, which includes Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T).

Complementary Base Pairing

The principle determined by Watson and Crick where Adenine ($A$) only bonds with Thymine ($T$) and Cytosine ($C$) only bonds with Guanine ($G$).

Hydrogen Bonds

The type of bonds that link the two strands of DNA together along the center between the nitrogenous bases.

Antiparallel

The orientation of DNA where the two strands run in opposite directions, one from $5'$ to $3'$ and the other from $3'$ to $5'$.

$$5'$$

The specific location on the nucleotide where the phosphate group is linked to the sugar.

$$3'$$

The specific location on the nucleotide linked to a hydroxyl group.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A single-stranded molecule that contains ribose sugar and the nitrogenous base Uracil instead of Thymine.

Uracil

The nitrogenous base found in RNA that replaces Thymine.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, one of the three types of RNA.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, one of the three types of RNA.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA, one of the three types of RNA.