DNA/RNA Structure
Is DNA or RNA double-stranded?
DNA
DNA is defined as a _______ model. Explain why.
Semiconservative; DNA consists of two strands - one strand from the previous DNA copy and one new strand.
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Amino acids
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by doing what?
Lowering the activation energy of the reaction.
What are the bases nitrogenous present in DNA?
Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G)
DNA replication occurs in what direction?
During translation, ____ leaves the nucleus and goes to the ________ for protein synthesis.
mRNA (messenger RNA); ribosomes
What are the reactants called that bind to enzymes? What is the location where they bind?
Substrate; active site
What are the three parts of a nucleotide?
Sugar, nitrogenous base, & a phosphate group
Given the DNA strand, what would the order of nitrogenous bases be for the new strand?
Original = TAGCT
ATCGA
Three unique bases that specify a single amino acid is called a ______.
codon
If more substrate is available, the rate of reaction ______.
Increases
What nitrogenous base is different in RNA compared to DNA?
DNA has thymine (T), while RNA replaces it with uracil (U)
Which enzyme unwinds the DNA molecules during replication? Which enzyme adds the nitrogenous bases to create the new DNA strand?
Helicase; DNA polymerase
Given a set of three bases, what amino acid is coded for?
AUG
Methionine: this is a start codon.
What can happen to an enzyme if the temperature or another factor is not optimal?
It can undergo denaturation (unfolding of a protein).
What sugar composes DNA? What type composes RNA?
Deoxyribose; ribose
How many new DNA strands are made from an original DNA molecule?
Two -
The original DNA molecule has two strands which are used as templates to create 2 new strands that are then copies of the original DNA molecule.
Describe an anticodon.
If the pH is too acidic or basic, what happens to the enzymes and subsequently the rate of the reaction?
The enzyme slows down and may even stop working; in turn, the rate of the reaction slows down or may even stop.