Questions on nucleic acids

1. Two strands of nucleotides bond together to form the double helix structure of DNA. This bonding is caused by the pairing of particular nitrogen-containing bases. The diagram shows the two different pairs of bases within nucleotides which bond together.

(a) State the name of the type of bonding that occurs between these bases.

(b) Show on the diagrams exactly where this type of bonding occurs.

(c) State the name of the other two molecules bonded to a base to form a nucleotide.

(d) Describe how individual nucleotides are joined to form a single strand of DNA.

2. The genetic code carried by RNA is:

(a) Explain what is meant by the statement “the triplet code for tyrosine is UAU or UAC”.

(b) Part of a strand of DNA contains the codons ACA, AAA, CTT, GTG and ACT.
Determine the amino acid sequence of the part of the protein that this sequence forms.

3. Two benefits of GM foods are that it can enhance their flavour, texture and nutritional value and also increase their resistance to disease. Two concerns about the use of GM foods are that not enough is known about how genes operate, so there may be unforeseen consequences, and genetically modified genes may escape to contaminate normal crops.
State two more different potential benefits and two more different concerns about the use of genetically modified foods.

Download the Nucleic acids questions to give to your students.