D1: Name the 4 nitrogenous bases in ribonucleic acid (RNA) and describe the structure.
A set of five nitrogenous bases is used in the construction of nucleotides, which in turn build up the nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
These bases are crucially important because the sequencing of them in DNA and RNA is the way information is stored. The letters which form the codons in the genetic code are the A C U G of the bases.
The larger bases adenine and guanine are purines which differ in the kinds of atoms that are attached to their double ring. The other bases cytosine, uracil, and thymine are pyrimidines which differ in the atoms attached to their single ring. To make nucleotides, these bases attach to a pentose sugar, either ribose or deoxyribose, along with a phosphate group. With the two sugars, a total of eight types of nucleotide building blocks are made.
A set of five nitrogenous bases is used in the construction of nucleotides, which in turn build up the nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
These bases are crucially important because the sequencing of them in DNA and RNA is the way information is stored. The letters which form the codons in the genetic code are the A C U G of the bases.
The larger bases adenine and guanine are purines which differ in the kinds of atoms that are attached to their double ring. The other bases cytosine, uracil, and thymine are pyrimidines which differ in the atoms attached to their single ring. To make nucleotides, these bases attach to a pentose sugar, either ribose or deoxyribose, along with a phosphate group. With the two sugars, a total of eight types of nucleotide building blocks are made.
D3: Describe DNA replication with reference to the 3 basic steps.
Unzipping: The hydrogen bonds between the paired bases break. The enzyme helicasecauses the molecule to unwind (to lose its helix shape).
Complementary Base Pairing: Free complementary nucleotides in nucleus move into place by complementary base pairing.
Joining of Adjacent Nucleotides: The complementary nucleotides join to form new strands carried out by the DNA polymerase enzyme (puts many –poly DNA together).
Unzipping: The hydrogen bonds between the paired bases break. The enzyme helicasecauses the molecule to unwind (to lose its helix shape).
Complementary Base Pairing: Free complementary nucleotides in nucleus move into place by complementary base pairing.
Joining of Adjacent Nucleotides: The complementary nucleotides join to form new strands carried out by the DNA polymerase enzyme (puts many –poly DNA together).
D4: List the major functions of nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids are important because they make up genetic information in living things. There are two types of nucleic acid and they are DNA and RNA. DNA is the basic instructions for living things. It is passed down from parent to offspring and is found in the nucleus of the cell.
D5: Compare and contrast the general structural composition of DNA and RNA.
1.DNA is deoxyrionucleic acid and contains the 5 carbon sugar deoxyribose. RNA is ribonucleic acid and contains the 5 carbon sugar ribose.
2. DNA is a double stranded molecule . RNA is single stranded.
3. DNA contains 4 bases Adenine (A) , Cytosine (C), Guanine (G) and Thymine (T). In RNA Thymine is replaced by Uracil(U) but also contains A, C and G.
4. Both DNA are composed of sub units called nucleotides.
5. A Nucleotide has 3 sub units: A 5 carbon sugar, An inorganic phosphate and one of four bases.
6. The nucleotides in both DNA and RNA are linked by chemical bonds between the sugar of one nucleotide and the Phosphate of the next to form a 'sugar- phosphate backbone'.
7. RNA has several types: Messenger RNA(mRNA), Transfer RNA (tRNA) and Ribosomal (rRNA)
8. Proteins are coded for by sequences of three bases on the nucleic acid strands.
9.. A series of three bases on DNA is called a Triplet. On mRNA a sequence of three bases is called a codon and on tRNA it is called an anticodon.
10. mRNA is copied from one strand of DNA by a process called Transcription.
D6: Relate the general structure of the ATP molecule to its role as the "energy currency" of cells.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a nucleotide that functions as an energy carrier in cells. In ATP, the base adenine is joined to the sugar ribose (together called adenosine), and there are three phosphate groups (triphosphate) instead of one. When one of the phosphate groups are removed, a large amount of energy is released.
D7: Define recombinant DNA.
DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms.
D8: Describe a minimum of three uses for recombinant DNA.
Through analyzing the genetic differences between normal cells and cancer cells, scientists are attempting to learn which genes are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells, as well as the ways in which these genes are activated or inactivated.
Recombinant DNA has a role in food production for a number of plant and animal products. For crops, recombinant DNA has been used to create increased resistance to viruses/pests, more resilience in the face of harsh environmental conditions and added convenience for packaging and shipping.
Recombinant DNA is used in vaccines that involve the direct injection of genetic material into the human body. This genetic material is in the form of a plasmid, or loop of DNA, from the foreign antigen that is the target of the vaccination. After it is injected through our muscle tissue, our cells take in the DNA and begin to produce the foreign proteins encoded in the plasmids.
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Nucleic acids are important because they make up genetic information in living things. There are two types of nucleic acid and they are DNA and RNA. DNA is the basic instructions for living things. It is passed down from parent to offspring and is found in the nucleus of the cell.
D5: Compare and contrast the general structural composition of DNA and RNA.
1.DNA is deoxyrionucleic acid and contains the 5 carbon sugar deoxyribose. RNA is ribonucleic acid and contains the 5 carbon sugar ribose.
2. DNA is a double stranded molecule . RNA is single stranded.
3. DNA contains 4 bases Adenine (A) , Cytosine (C), Guanine (G) and Thymine (T). In RNA Thymine is replaced by Uracil(U) but also contains A, C and G.
4. Both DNA are composed of sub units called nucleotides.
5. A Nucleotide has 3 sub units: A 5 carbon sugar, An inorganic phosphate and one of four bases.
6. The nucleotides in both DNA and RNA are linked by chemical bonds between the sugar of one nucleotide and the Phosphate of the next to form a 'sugar- phosphate backbone'.
7. RNA has several types: Messenger RNA(mRNA), Transfer RNA (tRNA) and Ribosomal (rRNA)
8. Proteins are coded for by sequences of three bases on the nucleic acid strands.
9.. A series of three bases on DNA is called a Triplet. On mRNA a sequence of three bases is called a codon and on tRNA it is called an anticodon.
10. mRNA is copied from one strand of DNA by a process called Transcription.
D6: Relate the general structure of the ATP molecule to its role as the "energy currency" of cells.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a nucleotide that functions as an energy carrier in cells. In ATP, the base adenine is joined to the sugar ribose (together called adenosine), and there are three phosphate groups (triphosphate) instead of one. When one of the phosphate groups are removed, a large amount of energy is released.
D7: Define recombinant DNA.
DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms.
D8: Describe a minimum of three uses for recombinant DNA.
Through analyzing the genetic differences between normal cells and cancer cells, scientists are attempting to learn which genes are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells, as well as the ways in which these genes are activated or inactivated.
Recombinant DNA has a role in food production for a number of plant and animal products. For crops, recombinant DNA has been used to create increased resistance to viruses/pests, more resilience in the face of harsh environmental conditions and added convenience for packaging and shipping.
Recombinant DNA is used in vaccines that involve the direct injection of genetic material into the human body. This genetic material is in the form of a plasmid, or loop of DNA, from the foreign antigen that is the target of the vaccination. After it is injected through our muscle tissue, our cells take in the DNA and begin to produce the foreign proteins encoded in the plasmids.
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