Textbook Question
Single strands of nucleic acids are directional, meaning that there are two different ends. What functional groups define the two different ends of a strand?
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Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 4, Problem 2
What determines the primary structure of a DNA molecule?
a. Stem-and-loop configuration
b. Complementary base pairing
c. Deoxyribonucleotide sequence
d. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the primary structure of a DNA molecule refers to the linear sequence of nucleotides.
Recognize that nucleotides in DNA are composed of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify that the sequence of deoxyribonucleotides, which includes adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G), determines the primary structure of DNA.
Note that complementary base pairing (b) and hydrogen bonding (d) are involved in the secondary structure, not the primary structure.
Conclude that the correct answer is the deoxyribonucleotide sequence (c), as it directly specifies the order of bases in the DNA strand.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Deoxyribonucleotide Sequence
The primary structure of a DNA molecule is determined by its deoxyribonucleotide sequence. This sequence is the specific order of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) encodes genetic information.
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Components of Dideoxy Sequencing
Complementary Base Pairing
Complementary base pairing is a fundamental principle of DNA structure where adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine. This pairing is crucial for the double helix structure of DNA and ensures accurate replication and transcription processes. However, it is not the primary determinant of the DNA's primary structure, which is the linear sequence of nucleotides.
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03:48Bases
Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonding occurs between complementary bases in the DNA double helix, stabilizing its structure. While these interactions are essential for maintaining the double-stranded form of DNA, they do not determine the primary structure. The primary structure is solely defined by the linear sequence of nucleotides, not by the interactions between them.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Evaluate the following statements related to the synthesis of nucleic acids. Select True or False for each statement.
T/F Ribonucleotides are added to the 3′ end of a DNA strand.
T/F Polymerization of nucleic acids occurs by the formation of phosphodiester bonds.
T/F Complementary pairing between sugars is required for copying nucleic acids.
T/F Strands in a double helix are synthesized in an antiparallel orientation.
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Textbook Question
What is responsible for the increased stability of DNA compared to RNA?
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Textbook Question
What are the four nitrogenous bases found in RNA?
a. Cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil (C, G, T, U)
b. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine (A, C, G, T)
c. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil (A, C, G, U)
d. Alanine, cysteine, glycine, threonine (A, C, G, T)
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