AP BIO: 1.6 Nucleic Acids

Adenine (A)

Adenine is one of the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA molecules. In DNA, it pairs with thymine (T), while in RNA it pairs with uracil (U).

Antiparallel Orientation

In biology, antiparallel orientation refers to the opposite arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbones in a DNA double helix. One strand runs from 5' to 3' direction, and the other runs from 3' to 5'.

Base Pairing Rules

The base pairing rules refer to the way in which DNA bases pair up. Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C).

Chargaff’s Rule

Chargaff's Rule states that in DNA, the amount of adenine (A) equals the amount of thymine (T), and the amount of guanine (G) equals the amount of cytosine (C).

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells. Each chromosome is made up of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Cytosine (C)

Cytosine is another one of the four nitrogenous bases found in both DNA and RNA molecules. In both cases, it pairs with guanine (G).

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

DNA is a molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in the development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.

Double Helix

A double helix refers to the structure formed by double-stranded molecules of nucleic acids such as DNA.

Genes

Genes are segments of DNA that carry hereditary information and have specific functions in living organisms.

Guanine (G)

Guanine is one of the four nucleobases in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. It pairs with cytosine (C) through three hydrogen bonds.

Hydrogen-Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is an attractive force between polar molecules where hydrogen is bound to a highly electronegative atom such as oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

mRNA is a type of RNA that carries genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules essential for all known forms of life. They include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), which carry genetic information.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of DNA and RNA. They consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Purines

Purines are one of the two types of nitrogenous bases found in nucleotides, which make up DNA and RNA. The two purines are adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Pyrimidines are one of the two types of nitrogenous bases found in nucleotides, which make up DNA and RNA. The three pyrimidines are cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

RNA is a molecule similar to DNA that plays a crucial role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

rRNA is part of ribosomes, serving as structural components and also catalyzing peptide bond formation. It's essential for protein synthesis in all living organisms.

Sugar-Phosphate Backbone

The sugar-phosphate backbone forms the structural framework of nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA. It consists of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, to which nitrogenous bases are attached.

Thymine (T)

Thymine is one of the four main nucleobases found in the nucleic acid DNA. It pairs with adenine.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

tRNA is a type of RNA that transports specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Each tRNA has an anticodon that pairs with an mRNA codon.

Uracil (U)

Uracil is a nitrogenous base found only in RNA. It replaces thymine from DNA and pairs with adenine during transcription.