L10 DNA structure

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the structure and function of DNA from Lecture 10.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Semiconservative replication

The method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand = 2 identical DNA molecules.

Phosphodiester bonds

Covalent bonds that link nucleotides together in a polynucleotide chain, forming the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Antiparallel strands

The orientation of DNA strands where one runs 5' to 3' and the other runs 3' to 5', allowing for complementary base pairing, forming a double helix.

Which way does a strand synthesise?

5prime to 3prime

Double helix

The shape of the DNA molecule formed by two strands that twist around each other, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds that stabilize the double helix structure of DNA by forming between the complementary bases.

What are A and G complimentary to?

T (2 hydrogen bonds) and C (3 hydrogen bonds)

Base to double helix

Base+phosphate group+sugar, nucleotide, polynucleotide/ nucleic acid, double helix