Nucleic Acids Worksheet

Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide?

• A pentose sugar

• A nitrogenous base

• A phosphate group

• A fatty acid

What is the main function of nucleic acids in a cell?

• To store genetic information and instructions for protein expression

• To provide energy for cellular processes

• To form cell membranes

• To transport oxygen in the blood

Refer to the diagram showing the structure of a nucleotide. Which component is attached to the 1’-carbon of the sugar?

• Phosphate group

• Nitrogenous base

• Fatty acid

• Amino acid

Explain how nucleotides are joined together to form the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA.

• By hydrogen bonds between bases

• By condensation reactions connecting the 5’-phosphate and 3’-position of the sugar

• By ionic bonds between sugars

• By peptide bonds between bases

Why is the order of the base sequence in a nucleic acid important?

• It determines the color of the molecule

• It forms the coded instruction for genetic information

• It affects the solubility of the molecule

• It changes the shape of the sugar-phosphate backbone

Which of the following bases is a purine?

• Cytosine

• Thymine

• Adenine

• Uracil

What is the main structural difference between DNA and RNA?

• DNA is single-stranded, RNA is double-stranded

• DNA contains uracil, RNA contains thymine

• DNA is double-stranded, RNA is single-stranded

• DNA contains ribose, RNA contains deoxyribose

Which sugar is found in the nucleotides of DNA?

• Ribose

• Deoxyribose

• Glucose

• Fructose

What does the diagram illustrate about the structure of DNA?

• DNA is made of a single strand

• DNA bases pair randomly

• DNA forms a ladder-like double helix with specific base pairing

• DNA contains only purines

Which type of RNA brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis?

• Messenger RNA (mRNA)

• Transfer RNA (tRNA)

• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)