Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on nucleotides and nucleic acids.

Nucleic Acids

Large macromolecules that store genetic information in organisms.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down nucleic acids into their substructures through the addition of water.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Nucleoside

A combination of a sugar and a nitrogenous base without a phosphate group.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A type of nucleic acid that contains the sugar 2-deoxy-D-ribose and encodes genetic information.

2-deoxy-D-ribose

The specific sugar found in DNA, differing from ribose by the absence of one oxygen atom.

Pyrimidines

A category of nitrogenous bases in nucleotides that includes cytosine and thymine.

Purines

A category of nitrogenous bases in nucleotides that includes adenine and guanine.

Phosphate Ester

A chemical compound derived from the reaction of an alcohol and phosphoric acid, forming nucleotides.

Base Pairing

The specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases: adenine with thymine, and guanine with cytosine.

Antiparallel

Describes the orientation of two polynucleotide strands in DNA, running in opposite directions.

Restriction Endonucleases

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, used in DNA sequencing.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid similar to DNA, differing by containing ribose and uracil instead of thymine.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA that carries genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

The molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

The RNA component of ribosomes, crucial for protein synthesis.

Ribozymes

RNA molecules that have catalytic properties and can act as enzymes.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The primary energy carrier in cells, consisting of adenosine and three phosphate groups.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)

A coenzyme involved in redox reactions, vital for metabolism.