The State of Piutto and Nucleic Acids

These flashcards cover the essential concepts of protein structure and the basics of nucleic acids, including their types, components, and base pairing.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.

What is the primary structure of proteins?

A straight chain of amino acids.

What is the secondary structure of proteins?

Includes alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets.

What defines the tertiary structure of proteins?

Coiled and wrapped around itself.

What characterizes the quaternary structure of proteins?

Many different chains wrapped around each other in a coil.

What are nucleic acids responsible for?

Storing and processing information inside living cells.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What is the role of DNA?

Acts as the master blueprint for the cell's genetic material.

What is the shape of DNA?

Double stranded molecule shaped like a helix.

What is the function of RNA?

Acts as a working copy of the cell's genetic information.

What are nucleotides?

The building blocks of nucleic acids composed of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

What changes between different nucleotides?

The nitrogenous bases.

What are the nitrogenous bases in pyrimidines?

Cytosine, Thymine (DNA only), and Uracil (RNA only).

What are the nitrogenous bases in purines?

Adenine and Guanine.

How do cytosine and guanine pair?

C pairs with G: C=G.

How do adenine and thymine pair in DNA?

A pairs with T: A=T.

How do adenine and uracil pair in RNA?

A pairs with U: A=U.