AP Bio DNA Structure & Replication

Front

What is the structure of DNA?

Back

DNA is a double helix composed of two strands of nucleotides, which include a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).

Front

What are the base pairing rules in DNA?

Back

Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T) and Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C-G) through hydrogen bonds.

Front

What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

Back

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.

Front

What is the difference between the leading strand and the lagging strand during DNA replication?

Back

The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction, while the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments (Okazaki fragments) in the opposite direction.

Front

What is the function of RNA in protein synthesis?

Back

RNA serves as a template for protein synthesis, with mRNA carrying the genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, where tRNA brings amino acids.

Front

What nitrogenous base is unique to RNA?

Back

Uracil is the nitrogenous base found in RNA but not in DNA.

Front

What type of bond connects nitrogenous bases in DNA?

Back

Hydrogen bonds connect nitrogenous bases in DNA.

Front

What are nucleotides composed of?

Back

Nucleotides are composed of a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Front

What is the significance of the 5' and 3' ends of a DNA strand?

Back

The 5' end has a phosphate group, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group, determining the directionality of DNA synthesis.

Front

What is semi-conservative replication?

Back

Semi-conservative replication is the process by which each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.