1. Home
  2. Flashcards
  3. Preview

DNA structure and replication

  1. DNA is made up of repeating units called...?
    Nucleotides
  2. What three components make up a nucleotide?
    A phosphate, deoxyribose sugar and base molecule
  3. What are the four types of bases?
    Adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine
  4. Adenine pairs with...?
    Thymine
  5. Cytosine pairs with...?
    Guanine
  6. How do nucleotides join up?
    The sugar on one nucleotide joins with the phosphate of the next molecule - creating a sugar phosphate backbone
  7. What kind of easily broken bonds join two nucleotide strands between the bases?
    Hydrogen bonds
  8. DNA is organised into...?
    chromosomes
  9. A section of DNA thousands of base paris long is called a...?
    gene
  10. Each gene carries the code for how many proteins?
    One
  11. Why is DNA a unique molecule?
    As it is able to reproduce itself exactly
  12. What is the name of the process by which DNA copies itself?
    replication
  13. What must be present in the nucleus for replication to occur?
    DNA, a supply of the four types of nucleotide, the appropriate enzymes and ATP
  14. Describe DNA replication
    • The original DNA molecule becomes untwisted through the action of an enzyme
    • The weak hydrogen bonds between the bases breaks causing the two strands of DNA to seperate ("unzip") and expose the bases
    • The free nucleotides found in the nucleus find their complementary nucleotide on the open chain
    • Weak hydrogen bonds form between the bases
    • The sugar phosphate bond forms between nucleotides giving each new strand its "backbone"
    • A new DNA molecule is finally formed
  15. Why is DNA replication said to be semi-conservative?
    As half of the original DNA molecule is kepy by the cell
  16. Why is DNA replication essential for the continuation of life?
    It ensures that an exact copy of the genetic information is passed from cell to cell during growth, and from generation to generation during reproduction
Author
Anonymous
ID
103334
Card Set
DNA structure and replication
Description
Higher Biology - DNA structure and replication
Updated

  1. Home
  2. Flashcards
  3. Preview