Nucleic acid

Two primary function of nucleic acids?

• Express genetic information

• Storage

Two types of nucleic acid used in cells?

• DNA

• RNA

Nucleotide?

The building blocks of nucleic acids

3 components of a nucleotide?

• Phosphate

• Pentose sugar

• Nitrogenous base

What are the nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

Adenine = Thymine , Guanine = Cytosine

What are the nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

Adenine = Uracil , Guanine = Cytosine

Gene?

A segment of DNA determining a specific trait

What the difference in number of bonds between nitrogenous bases?

• Adenine and thymine have 2 hydrogen bonds

• Guanine and cytosine have 3 hydrogen bonds

What connects the RNA molecules?

Covalent bonds

What connects the DNA molecules?

Hydrogen bonds

Describe the DNA structure?

Double stranded antiparallel chains connected by hydrogen bonds

Compare and contrast the DNA and RNA?

• Nitrogenous bases = Thymine - DNA, Uracil - RNA

• Sugar = Deoxyribose - DNA, Ribose - RNA

• Structure = Double-stranded - DNA, Single-stranded - RNA

• Location = Nucleus and mitochondria - DNA, Nucleus and cytoplasm - RNA

• Function = Store gentic information - DNA, transfer infromation - RNA

Outline the importance of complementary base pairing

Accurate translation of genetic information into a polypeptide chain

What is the limitless posibility of diversity in DNA?

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