BI108 Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acid

consists of a string of subunits called nucleotides that are joined together by covalent bonds

Nucleotides

the subunits of nucleic acids

Phosphodiester bonds

connections between two nucleotides; also called phosphodiester linkages

Monomer

a small molecule that can be linked via covalent bonds to form larger macromolecules

Polymer

larger macromolecules created from monomers

Primary structure

the sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid, read 5′ to 3′

Complementary base-pairing

the nitrogenous base of opposite strands form hydrogen bonds with each other (C-G and A-T)

Secondary structure

formation of a double helix in DNA or a stem-and-loop structure in RNA, based on complementary base pairing

Purines

Two rings in their nitrogenous base

A and G

Pyrimidines

One ring in their nitrogenous base

C and T

Antiparallel

strands are parallel to each other but 5’ and 3’ are in opposite orientations relative to each other