Nucleic Acids (DP IB Biology)
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- FrontDNA & RNA Structure
True or False?
All living organisms use DNA as their genetic material.
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True or False?
All living organisms use DNA as their genetic material.
True.
All living organisms have DNA as their genetic material.
There are some viruses that have RNA as their genetic material, bur viruses are not considered to be living, so this is not an exception to the rule.
Name parts A-C on the DNA nucleotide diagram below.
Parts A-C are:
A = phosphate group
B = pentose sugar / deoxyribose sugar
C = nitrogenous base
What is the sugar-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid molecule?
The sugar-phosphate backbone is formed when the phosphate group of one nucleotide forms a covalent bond to the pentose sugar of the next in a nucleic acid polymer.
What are the nitrogenous bases found in DNA?
The nitrogenous bases in DNA are:
adenine (A)
guanine (G)
cytosine (C)
thymine (T)
What are the nitrogenous bases found in RNA?
The nitrogenous bases in RNA are:
adenine (A)
guanine (G)
cytosine (C)
uracil (U)
True or False?
The sugar in RNA nucleotides is ribose.
True.
RNA nucleotides contain ribose sugar.
How is the 3D shape of a DNA molecule described?
The 3D shape of a DNA molecule is described as a double helix.
What does it mean when DNA strands are described as being antiparallel?
Antiparallel means that the two DNA strands run in opposite directions.
How is the genetic code carried in DNA molecules?
The genetic code in DNA molecules is carried as a sequence of nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
What does it mean that the genetic code is universal?
The genetic code is universal, meaning that almost every organism uses the same code.
What does it mean to say that a genetic sequence is highly conserved?
A genetic sequence that is highly conserved is one that is the same across many groups of organisms.
True or False?
The genetic code provides evidence for common ancestry in living organisms.
True.
The universal nature of the genetic code is evidence that it has been inherited from a universal common ancestor.
How does the pentose sugar differ between DNA and RNA?
DNA contains deoxyribose as its pentose sugar, while RNA contains ribose.
What are the types of pentose sugar represented by A and B?
The pentose sugars are:
A = ribose (OH group on carbon 2)
B = deoxyribose (H group on carbon 2)
True or False?
Both DNA and RNA are double-stranded molecules.
False.
DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded.
How does RNA differ from DNA?
RNA differs from DNA as follows:
RNA
DNA
Sugar
Ribose
Deoxyribose
Nitrogenous bases
Adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil
Adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine
Strands
One
Two
What is complementary base pairing in DNA?
Complementary base pairing in DNA refers to the specific pairing of bases:
adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T)
guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C)
The bases are held together by hydrogen bonds.
What determines the complementarity of base pairs in complementary base pairing?
The complementarity of base pairing (i.e. which base pairs with which other base) is determined by hydrogen bonding.
Why is complementary base pairing important for DNA replication?
Complementary base pairing allows DNA to be copied during replication, ensuring accurate copying and therefore expression of the genetic code in new cells.
True or False?
DNA had a limited capacity for storing information.
False.
DNA has a very large capacity for storing information due to the diversity of possible DNA base sequences.