DNA and RNA Structure and Functions

Flashcards covering key concepts related to DNA and RNA structure and functions.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a long strand of genes containing genetic information for cell activities and protein synthesis.

Nucleotide

The monomer of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Antiparallel

Refers to the arrangement of the two strands of DNA running in opposite directions in the double helix.

Semi-conservative replication

The model of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, which carries instructions from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, which carries specific amino acids to the mRNA for assembly into proteins.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA, which makes up the ribosomes and helps in linking amino acids together during protein synthesis.

Centrifuge

A device used to separate different substances by spinning them at high speed, used in DNA replication experiments.

Chargaff's Rule

The observation that the amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of guanine equals cytosine in DNA.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the bases.

DNA polymerase

The enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand during replication.

Transformation

The process by which a bacterium takes up DNA from its environment and incorporates it into its own genome.

Franklin's X-ray diffraction

The method used to reveal the helical structure of DNA through X-ray images.

Watson and Crick model

The model of DNA structure indicating it as a double helix, based on Franklin's work.