Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Nucleic Acids

Anatomy & Physiology

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Nucleic Acids

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0:52 minutes

Problem 4

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?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the structure of a nucleotide, which is the basic building block of nucleic acids. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base.

Understand that nucleic acids are polymers made up of many nucleotides linked together through phosphodiester bonds between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group of the sugar of another.

Recognize that the linkage of nucleotides creates a backbone with a repeating pattern of sugar and phosphate groups, where each sugar is attached to two phosphates: one at the 5' carbon and another at the 3' carbon of the sugar.

Identify the two ends of the nucleic acid strand based on the attachments at the sugars: one end has a free phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar (5' end), and the other end has a free hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon of the sugar (3' end).

Conclude that the functional groups defining the two different ends of a nucleic acid strand are the phosphate group at the 5' end and the hydroxyl group at the 3' end.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are polymers made up of nucleotide monomers. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The structure of nucleic acids is directional, with a 5' end (phosphate group) and a 3' end (hydroxyl group), which is crucial for understanding how they function in biological processes.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In nucleic acids, the phosphate group at the 5' end and the hydroxyl group at the 3' end are the key functional groups that define the directionality of the strand and influence its interactions and stability.

Directionality in Nucleic Acids

Directionality in nucleic acids refers to the orientation of the strand, which is determined by the arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbone. The 5' to 3' directionality is essential for processes like DNA replication and transcription, as enzymes that synthesize nucleic acids can only add nucleotides to the 3' end, ensuring that the strands are synthesized in a specific direction.