Nucleic Acids Worksheet

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

• To provide energy for the cell

• To act as the genetic material and store coded instructions for protein expression

• To help in cell movement

• To break down waste products

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

• A pentose sugar

• A nitrogenous base

• A phosphate group

• A fatty acid

What forms the backbone of DNA and RNA molecules?

• Nitrogenous bases only

• Sugar-phosphate groups

• Proteins

• Lipids

How are nucleotides joined together to form long chains?

• By hydrolysis reactions

• By condensation reactions

• By oxidation reactions

• By reduction reactions

What is attached to the sugar at the 1’-carbon in a nucleotide?

• A phosphate group

• A nitrogenous base

• A protein

• A lipid

Which of the following bases is a purine?

• Cytosine

• Thymine

• Guanine

• Uracil

What is the main structural difference between DNA and RNA?

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

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

• Both are double-stranded

• Both are single-stranded

In RNA, which base replaces thymine?

• Adenine

• Guanine

• Cytosine

• Uracil

What is the shape formed by double-stranded DNA called?

• Single helix

• Double helix

• Triple helix

• Spiral ladder

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)