AP Biology Flashcards: Dna And Rna Structure

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Dna And Rna Structure, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the type of RNA that forms the core of ribosome's structure.

Answer: rRNA (ribosomal RNA). Structural component that catalyzes peptide bond formation.

Flashcard 2: Identify the sugar found in DNA.

Answer: Deoxyribose. Missing one hydroxyl group compared to RNA's ribose.

Flashcard 3: What is the role of ligase in DNA replication?

Answer: To join Okazaki fragments. Seals breaks between DNA fragments on lagging strand.

Flashcard 4: What is an exon?

Answer: A coding region in mRNA. Remains in mature mRNA after splicing removes introns.

Flashcard 5: Identify the type of RNA that forms the core of ribosome's structure.

Answer: rRNA (ribosomal RNA). Structural component that catalyzes peptide bond formation.

Flashcard 6: What is a codon?

Answer: A three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA. Each triplet codes for one specific amino acid.

Flashcard 7: What is the role of DNA polymerase?

Answer: To synthesize new DNA strands. Adds nucleotides in 5' to 3' direction during replication.

Flashcard 8: Find the number of hydrogen bonds between Guanine and Cytosine.

Answer: Three. G-C pairs are stronger than A-T pairs with two bonds.

Flashcard 9: What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

Answer: To bring amino acids to ribosomes. Transfer molecules that deliver specific amino acids during translation.

Flashcard 10: Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding DNA during replication?

Answer: Helicase. Breaks hydrogen bonds between base pairs to separate strands.

Flashcard 11: What is the start codon in mRNA sequences?

Answer: AUG. Signals ribosome to begin protein synthesis.

Flashcard 12: Which enzyme synthesizes RNA from a DNA template?

Answer: RNA polymerase. Reads DNA template strand to create complementary RNA.

Flashcard 13: State the base pairing rule for DNA.

Answer: A pairs with T, C pairs with G. Complementary base pairing ensures DNA stability and replication.

Flashcard 14: What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

Answer: DNA → RNA → Protein. Information flow from genes to functional proteins.

Flashcard 15: Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding DNA during replication?

Answer: Helicase. Breaks hydrogen bonds between base pairs to separate strands.

Flashcard 16: What is the role of DNA polymerase?

Answer: To synthesize new DNA strands. Adds nucleotides in 5' to 3' direction during replication.

Flashcard 17: What is the template strand in DNA replication?

Answer: The DNA strand used for mRNA synthesis. Serves as template for complementary RNA synthesis.

Flashcard 18: What is the function of the promoter region in DNA?

Answer: To initiate transcription. Binding site for RNA polymerase to start transcription.

Flashcard 19: Name the purine bases in DNA.

Answer: Adenine and Guanine. Double-ring structures with nine-membered purine base.

Flashcard 20: Find the number of hydrogen bonds between Guanine and Cytosine.

Answer: Three. G-C pairs are stronger than A-T pairs with two bonds.

Flashcard 21: What is an intron?

Answer: A non-coding region in mRNA. Removed during RNA processing before translation.

Flashcard 22: Which base does cytosine pair with in DNA?

Answer: Guanine. Forms three hydrogen bonds in complementary base pairing.

Flashcard 23: State the base pairing rule for DNA.

Answer: A pairs with T, C pairs with G. Complementary base pairing ensures DNA stability and replication.

Flashcard 24: Which base does cytosine pair with in DNA?

Answer: Guanine. Forms three hydrogen bonds in complementary base pairing.

Flashcard 25: Find the number of hydrogen bonds between Adenine and Thymine.

Answer: Two. A-T pairs are weaker than G-C pairs with three bonds.

Flashcard 26: What is the function of the promoter region in DNA?

Answer: To initiate transcription. Binding site for RNA polymerase to start transcription.

Flashcard 27: What is the primary function of DNA?

Answer: To store genetic information. DNA contains hereditary instructions for all cellular processes.

Flashcard 28: Which nucleic acid is single-stranded?

Answer: RNA. Unlike DNA's double-stranded structure, RNA exists as single strand.

Flashcard 29: Which process converts mRNA into a polypeptide chain?

Answer: Translation. Second step where ribosomes decode mRNA into protein.

Flashcard 30: Find the number of hydrogen bonds between Adenine and Thymine.

Answer: Two. A-T pairs are weaker than G-C pairs with three bonds.

Flashcard 31: What is the role of spliceosomes?

Answer: To remove introns from mRNA. RNA-protein complexes that process pre-mRNA in eukaryotes.

Flashcard 32: Which nucleic acid is single-stranded?

Answer: RNA. Unlike DNA's double-stranded structure, RNA exists as single strand.

Flashcard 33: What is an exon?

Answer: A coding region in mRNA. Remains in mature mRNA after splicing removes introns.

Flashcard 34: What is the role of ligase in DNA replication?

Answer: To join Okazaki fragments. Seals breaks between DNA fragments on lagging strand.

Flashcard 35: What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

Answer: To bring amino acids to ribosomes. Transfer molecules that deliver specific amino acids during translation.

Flashcard 36: Which base does adenine pair with in RNA?

Answer: Uracil. RNA uses uracil instead of thymine for adenine pairing.

Flashcard 37: What is the role of spliceosomes?

Answer: To remove introns from mRNA. RNA-protein complexes that process pre-mRNA in eukaryotes.

Flashcard 38: Which enzyme synthesizes RNA from a DNA template?

Answer: RNA polymerase. Reads DNA template strand to create complementary RNA.

Flashcard 39: How many bases make up a codon?

Answer: Three. Triplet code determines which amino acid is added.

Flashcard 40: Which base does adenine pair with in RNA?

Answer: Uracil. RNA uses uracil instead of thymine for adenine pairing.

Flashcard 41: Name the purine bases in DNA.

Answer: Adenine and Guanine. Double-ring structures with nine-membered purine base.

Flashcard 42: What is the start codon in mRNA sequences?

Answer: AUG. Signals ribosome to begin protein synthesis.