Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Nucleic Acids

Biochemistry

1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Nucleic Acids

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Multiple Choice

What is the consequence of nucleotides being asymmetric in the structure of nucleic acids?

It causes nucleic acids to be unable to form hydrogen bonds.

It gives nucleic acids a directionality, resulting in distinct 5' and 3' ends.

It results in nucleic acids being unable to store genetic information.

It allows nucleic acids to form triple helices under physiological conditions.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of nucleotides: Nucleotides are composed of three main components: a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base. The phosphate group is attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar, while the nitrogenous base is attached to the 1' carbon.

Recognize the asymmetry in nucleotides: The sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids is inherently asymmetric due to the specific attachment points of the phosphate group and the nitrogenous base. This asymmetry leads to the formation of distinct ends in the nucleic acid strand.

Define the 5' and 3' ends: The 5' end of a nucleic acid strand has a free phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar, while the 3' end has a free hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the 3' carbon of the sugar. This structural difference gives nucleic acids their directionality.

Explain the consequence of directionality: The directionality of nucleic acids is crucial for their biological functions, such as replication and transcription. Enzymes like DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase recognize the 5' to 3' orientation and synthesize new strands accordingly.

Clarify why the other options are incorrect: The asymmetry does not prevent nucleic acids from forming hydrogen bonds (essential for base pairing), storing genetic information (a primary function of DNA and RNA), or forming triple helices under physiological conditions (which is rare and not a typical consequence of asymmetry).