DNA (definition) Deoxyribonucleic Acid; A nucleic acid found in the nucleus of all living cells, which carries the organism’s hereditary information.
Considering this, what is a DNA quizlet?
Dna. a double-stranded, helical nucleic acid molecule capable of replicating and determining the inherited traits of organisms and viruses. Nucleotide. a building block of DNA or RNA, consisting of a sugar, a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
Similarly, how is the DNA? DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar group and a nitrogen base. The four types of nitrogen bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). To fit inside cells, DNA is coiled tightly to form structures we call chromosomes.
Beside this, what is the role of DNA quizlet?
FUNCTION: Holds genetic code/info/ genes and instructions for making proteins. What is the process of DNA replication? The double Helix unzips and new nitrogen bases are added to create a new strand of DNA to create a new cell. Each new strand of DNA contains an old stand from the original.
What do the letter DNA stand for?
DNA. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, sometimes called “the molecule of life,” as almost all organisms have their genetic material codified as DNA. Since each person’s DNA is unique, “DNA typing” is a valuable tool in connecting suspects to crime scenes.
17 Related Question Answers Found
What is DNA made of quizlet?
What is the “backbone” of DNA composed of? Phosphate molecules and deoxyribose sugar. DNA backbones are made up of deoxyribose, a pentose sugar. These sugars are connected via a phosphodiester bond.
How does DNA hold information quizlet?
The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These anti-codons on the mRNA travel to the ribosomes in a cell and each anti-codon (which would be a set of three bases) codes for a specific amino acid.
Is DNA a protein?
Today, proteins are formed following instructions given by DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which in turn is synthesized by specific enzymes that are proteins. DNA contains the genetic information of all living organisms. Proteins are large molecules made up by 20 small molecules called amino acids.
Why is DNA so important?
DNA is vital for all living beings – even plants. It is important for inheritance, coding for proteins and the genetic instruction guide for life and its processes. DNA holds the instructions for an organism’s or each cell’s development and reproduction and ultimately death.
Where Can DNA be found?
Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).
What is the shape of DNA?
Basic Structure of DNA The DNA molecule is shaped like a ladder that is twisted into a coiled configuration called a double helix. The nitrogen bases form the rungs of the ladder and are arranged in pairs, which are connected to each other by chemical bonds.
What are nucleic acids quizlet?
nucleic acid. a polymer consisting of many nucleotide monomers; serves as a blueprint for proteins and cellular activities. nucleotides. building block of nucleic acid, consisting of a 5 carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group (G)
What is mitosis quizlet?
Mitosis. is the process of the division of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells (body cells only). Usually includes four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. You just studied 18 terms!
What are the 3 main functions of DNA?
The sequence of the nucleotides along the backbone encodes genetic information. The four roles DNA plays are replication, encoding information, mutation/recombination and gene expression.
How does DNA structure relate to its function?
DNA winds into a double helix, with hydrogen bonding between the bases of each strand like the rungs of a ladder. This structure enables DNA to coil so that the long molecule is compact and lots of information can be stored in a small space.
What are the two main functions of DNA?
DNA serves two important cellular functions: It is the genetic material passed from parent to offspring and it serves as the information to direct and regulate the construction of the proteins necessary for the cell to perform all of its functions.
What is the function of the DNA coding strand?
During transcription, the coding strand of DNA serves as a template for synthesis of a complementary RNA molecule. The sequence of the RNA molecule is determined by complementary-base pairing so that the RNA is a complementary transcript (copy) of the coding strand of DNA.
How do DNA and RNA differ in function?
DNA and RNA perform different functions in humans. DNA is responsible for storing and transferring genetic information, while RNA directly codes for amino acids and acts as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes to make proteins.
What makes up the backbone of DNA?
It has an alternating chemical phosphate and sugar backbone, making the ‘sides’ of the ladder. (Deoxyribose is the name of the sugar found in the backbone of DNA.) In between the two sides of this sugar-phosphate backbone are four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
How do the structures of RNA and DNA differ quizlet?
However there are a few differences. Firstly, DNA is composed of a double strand forming a helix whereas RNA is only composed of one strand. Also the sugar in DNA is deoxyribose whereas in RNA it is ribose. Finally, both DNA and RNA have the bases adenine, guanine and cytosine.
What is the function of mRNA?
The primary function of mRNA is to act as an intermediary between the genetic information in DNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins. mRNA contains codons that are complementary to the sequence of nucleotides on the template DNA and direct the formation of amino acids through the action of ribosomes and tRNA.
How are the structures of RNA and DNA similar quizlet?
-DNA is double-stranded, RNA is single-stranded. – DNA contains a pentose sugar Deoxyribose, RNA contains the pentose sugar Ribose. A pentose is a 5-carbon sugar molecule. – DNA is limited to the nucleus, RNA is made in the nucleus, but can travel outside of it.