Biology > Nucleic Acids > Flashcards

Nucleic Acids Flashcards

(50 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

State the basic structure of a nucleotide. (F)

A
  • phosphate group
  • pentose sugar
  • nitrogenous base
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

State the carbon the phosphate group and nitrogenous base are attached to on the pentose sugar.

A

Phosphate group is attached to C5.

Nitrogenous base is attached to C1.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

State the two main types of nucleic acid. (F)

A
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

- RNA (ribonucleic acid)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the similarities between the nucleotides of DNA and RNA. (F)

A
  • both have a phosphate group
  • both have a pentose sugar
  • both have the adenine, cytosine and guanine bases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the differences between the nucleotides of DNA and RNA. (F)

A

Differences:

  • DNA has a deoxyribose sugar; RNA has a ribose sugar
  • DNA has the thymine base; RNA has the uracil base
  • DNA is double stranded; RNA is single stranded
  • DNA has hydrogen bonds; RNA doesn’t
  • DNA is long; RNA is short
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Identify the difference between the structures of ribose and deoxyribose.

A

Ribose has an -OH group on C2; deoxyribose has an -H on C2.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List the full names of the 5 possible nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids.

A
  • adenine
  • cytosine
  • guanine
  • thymine
  • uracil
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Name the two types of nitrogenous base.

A
  • purine

- pyramidine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which nitrogenous bases belong to purine?

A
  • adenine

- guanine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which nitrogenous bases belong to pyamidine?

A
  • cytosine
  • thymine
  • uracil
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Outline the structure of the pyrimidine bases.

A
  • small

- single carbon ring structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Outline the structure of the purine bases.

A
  • large

- double carbon ring structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define the term “monomer”. (F)

A

The individual molecules that make up a polymer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define the term “polymer”. (F)

A

A long chain molecule composed of many bonded monomers in a repeating pattern.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define the term “nucleic acid”. (F)

A

Large polymers formed from nucleotides.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define the term “polynucleotide”. (F)

A

A chain of nucleotides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define the term “phosphodiester bond”. (F)

A

Covalent bonds formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group of another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

State the name of the reaction that joins nucleotides to other nucleotides and the name of the reaction that breaks phosphodiester bonds. (F)

A
  • condensation reaction

- hydrolysis reaction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

State 3 main types of activity for which cells require energy.

A
  • synthesis
  • transport
  • movement
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the structure of ATP and how it differs to ADP.

A
  • adenine base
  • ribose sugar
  • 3 phosphate groups (ADP has two)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

State the full names of ATP and ADP.

Study These Flashcards
A
  • adenosine triphosphate

- adenosine diphosphate

22
Q

List 2 similarities between the structure of ATP and DNA and RNA nucleotides.

Study These Flashcards
A
  • adenine base

- ribose sugar (like RNA)

23
Q

List 2 differences between the structure of ATP and DNA and RNA nucleotides.

Study These Flashcards
A
  • single nucleotide

- 3 phosphate groups

24
Q

Draw a reaction to show how energy is released from ATP to provide energy for cellular activities. (F)

Study These Flashcards
A

ATP + H2O -> ADP + Pi + energy

25
Draw a reaction to show how energy is released from ATP to provide energy for cellular activities. (F)
ATP + H2O -> ADP + Pi + energy ATP is hydrolysed to form ADP and an inorganic phosphate ion.
26
State the names of the types of reactions involved in the interconversion of ATP and ADP.
- hydrolysis (ATP -> ADP) | - condensation (ADP -> ATP)
27
State where energy is released in the interconversion of ATP and ADP.
Into the cell.
28
State the role of respiration in the interconversion of ATP and ADP.
Energy released from the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates during respiration is used to convert ADP to ATP.
29
State 5 properties of ATP and explain why each makes it ideally suited to function as an energy transfer molecule. (F)
- small: moves easily into/within/out of a cell - water soluble: reactions take place in aqueous environment - phosphate bonds are at an intermediate energy level: large enough to be useful but doesn't waste energy as heat - energy released in small quantities: suitable for cellular needs - easily regenerated: recharge with energy
30
Define the term “phosphorylation”.
The reattachment of a phosphate group to an ADP molecule to create ATP.
31
Describe the structure of DNA. (F)
- sugar-phosphate backbone - double stranded - complementary base pairings - hydrogen bonds - deoxyribose - A, T, C, G - phosphate groups
32
Define the term “complementary base pairing” in relation to DNA. (F)
Specific hydrogen bonding between nucleic acid bases.
33
Define the term “sugar-phosphate backbone” in relation to DNA. (F)
The linkage of the phosphate group on C5' and the -OH group on C3 between adjacent nucleotides,
34
Define the term “strand” in relation to DNA. (F)
A chain of nucleotides
35
Define the term “double helix” in relation to DNA. (F)
The two strands of polynucleotides coiled into a helix.
36
Define the term “strand” in relation to DNA. (F)
A chain of nucleotides.
37
State the complementary base pairing rules. (F)
- adenine and thymine | - cytosine and guanine
38
Name the bond that holds complementary base pairs together together. (F)
Hydrogen bonds
39
State the number of bonds that hold each complementary base pair together. (F)
- adenine and thymine: 2 | - cytosine and guanine: 3
40
Explain why a DNA molecule has equal amounts of adenine and thymine and equal amounts of cytosine and guanine.
Complementary base pairing. If one of the pairs is present on one strand, the partner will be on the opposite strand.
41
Describe how purines and pyrimidines are arranged in the complementary base pairing rules.
Purines pair with pyrimidines.
42
Describe the significance of the double stranded, complementary base paired nature of DNA for its function.
Allows DNA to be copied and transcribed
43
Describe the significance of the sequence of bases in a DNA strand for its function.
Carries the genetic information of an organism.
44
Describe the steps in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
- grind sample in mortar and pestle - mix sample with detergent - add salt - add protease enzyme - add a layer of ethanol on top of the sample - (DNA appears as white strands between layer of sample and alcohol)
45
Explain the importance of the grinding the sample in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
Breaks down the cell walls.
46
Explain the importance of detergent in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
- breaks down cell surface membrane | - releases cellular contents
47
Explain the importance of salt in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
Breaks hydrogen bonds between DNA and water molecules.
48
Explain the importance of protease enzyme in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
- breaks down proteins associated with DNA in nuclei | - histone proteins
49
Explain the importance of ethanol in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
Causes DNA to precipitate out of the solution.
50
Explain the importance of keeping the temperature low in the isolation and purification of DNA by precipitation.
- prevents enzymes from breaking DNA down | - helps it precipitate better
Biology
flashcards
Decks in class (23)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions