Genetics: From Genes to Genomes
Ch. 6 Questions with Verified Answers
Deoxyribonucleic Acid - ANSWERSThe full chemical name of DNA.
Nucleotides - ANSWERSa subunit of DNA or RNA consisting of a nitrogenous base
(adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine in DNA; adenine, guanine, uracil, or cytosine in
RNA), a phosphate group, and a sugar (deoxyribose DNA; ribose RNA).
Phosphodiester Bonds - ANSWERScovalent bonds joining one nucleotide to another
that form the backbone of DNA.
Polymer - ANSWERSa linked chain of repeating subunits that form a larger molecule;
example DNA, Proteins.
Transformation - ANSWERSThe ability of a substance to change the genetic character
of an organism; a mechanism used by bacteria to transfer genes from one strain to
another.
Bacteriophages (Phages) - ANSWERSa virus for which the natural host is a bacterial
cell.
Purines - ANSWERSAdenine; Guanine
Pyrimidines - ANSWERSCytosine; Thymine (Uracil in RNA)
Polarity - ANSWERSan overall direction.
5' end - ANSWERSwhere the sugar of the terminal nucleotide has a free 5' atom. (may
carry a hydroxyl or a phosphate group)
3' end - ANSWERSwhere the 3' carbon of the final nucleotide is free.
Hydrogen Bonds - ANSWERSweak electrostatic bonds that result in a partial sharing of
hydrogen atoms between reacting groups. (holds nitrogenous bases together)
B-form DNA - ANSWERSthe most common form of DNA, in which molecular
configuration spirals to the right.
A-form DNA - ANSWERSresembles the helix seen in DNA:RNA duplexes; molecular
configuration spirals to the right but has a gap in the center.
Ch. 6 Questions with Verified Answers
Deoxyribonucleic Acid - ANSWERSThe full chemical name of DNA.
Nucleotides - ANSWERSa subunit of DNA or RNA consisting of a nitrogenous base
(adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine in DNA; adenine, guanine, uracil, or cytosine in
RNA), a phosphate group, and a sugar (deoxyribose DNA; ribose RNA).
Phosphodiester Bonds - ANSWERScovalent bonds joining one nucleotide to another
that form the backbone of DNA.
Polymer - ANSWERSa linked chain of repeating subunits that form a larger molecule;
example DNA, Proteins.
Transformation - ANSWERSThe ability of a substance to change the genetic character
of an organism; a mechanism used by bacteria to transfer genes from one strain to
another.
Bacteriophages (Phages) - ANSWERSa virus for which the natural host is a bacterial
cell.
Purines - ANSWERSAdenine; Guanine
Pyrimidines - ANSWERSCytosine; Thymine (Uracil in RNA)
Polarity - ANSWERSan overall direction.
5' end - ANSWERSwhere the sugar of the terminal nucleotide has a free 5' atom. (may
carry a hydroxyl or a phosphate group)
3' end - ANSWERSwhere the 3' carbon of the final nucleotide is free.
Hydrogen Bonds - ANSWERSweak electrostatic bonds that result in a partial sharing of
hydrogen atoms between reacting groups. (holds nitrogenous bases together)
B-form DNA - ANSWERSthe most common form of DNA, in which molecular
configuration spirals to the right.
A-form DNA - ANSWERSresembles the helix seen in DNA:RNA duplexes; molecular
configuration spirals to the right but has a gap in the center.
