DNA and RNA Basics

Front

What is the shape of DNA?

Back

Double helix, resembling a twisted ladder.

Front

What does DNA stand for?

Back

Deoxyribonucleic acid.

Front

What are the sides of the DNA ladder composed of?

Back

A sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.

Front

What are the 'rungs' of the DNA ladder composed of?

Back

Pairs of nitrogenous bases.

Front

What are the two sides of a replicating DNA molecule called?

Back

The leading strand and the lagging strand.

Front

What is the function of DNA helicase?

Back

An enzyme that unwinds and unzips the double-sided DNA strand to produce two single DNA strands.

Front

What is the function of DNA polymerase?

Back

An enzyme that helps attach nucleotides to single-sided DNA strands, resulting in two identical completed DNA strands.

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A protein that facilitates a specific chemical reaction in the body.

Front

What is a mutation?

Back

An error that occurs during DNA replication.

Front

What are the possible effects of mutations?

Back

Mutations can be harmful, helpful, or neutral. Most mutations are neutral.