Nucleic Acids Overview

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to nucleic acids, including their structures, components, and processes involved in genetic information transmission.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that contains genetic information and has a double helix structure.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that transmits genetic information and has a single helix structure.

Phosphate Group

A component of nucleotides that links together nucleotides in DNA and RNA.

Nitrogenous Base

A part of nucleotides that can be adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), guanine (G) in DNA and adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), guanine (G) in RNA.

Pyrimidines

Single-ring nitrogenous bases that include cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).

Purines

Double-ring nitrogenous bases that include adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins based on the sequence of messenger RNA.

Phosphodiester Bond

The bond that links the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the sugar of the next nucleotide, forming the backbone of DNA and RNA.