Nucleic Acids and DNA Structure

These flashcards cover key concepts relating to nucleic acids, their structure, bonding, and the functional importance of DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA, where adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Phosphodiester Bond

A covalent bond that connects the sugar of one nucleotide to the phosphate group of another nucleotide.

Antiparallel Strands

The orientation of the two strands of DNA, where one strand runs 5' to 3' and its complementary strand runs 3' to 5'.

Pyrimidine

A type of nitrogenous base in nucleotides that includes cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U), characterized by a single ring structure.

Purine

A type of nitrogenous base in nucleotides that includes adenine (A) and guanine (G), characterized by a double ring structure.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak interactions that hold together the two DNA strands by connecting complementary nitrogenous bases.

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell makes an exact copy of its DNA, ensuring accurate genetic information transfers.

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid, a single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and other functions, formed from ribonucleotides.

Structure-Function Relationship in DNA

The specific structure of DNA allows it to store genetic information and replicate accurately, contributing to its role as an information storage molecule.