Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

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Genetics

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2:42 minutes

Problem 39b

Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

Which end of the DNA is closest to A?

Verified step by step guidance

Examine the accompanying diagram carefully to identify the orientation of the DNA strand. DNA strands have a directionality, typically labeled as 5' (five-prime) and 3' (three-prime) ends.

Recall that the 5' end of a DNA strand has a phosphate group attached to the fifth carbon of the sugar, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the third carbon of the sugar.

Look for any visual cues in the diagram, such as the presence of a phosphate group or hydroxyl group, to determine the directionality of the DNA strand near point A.

If the diagram includes complementary base pairing, note that DNA strands run antiparallel to each other. This means that if one strand is oriented 5' to 3', the complementary strand will be oriented 3' to 5'. Use this information to infer the orientation of the strand near point A.

Based on the observed features in the diagram, determine whether the end of the DNA closest to point A is the 5' end or the 3' end.

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Key Concepts

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

DNA Structure

DNA is a double helix composed of two strands running in opposite directions, known as antiparallel strands. Each strand has a 5' (five-prime) end and a 3' (three-prime) end, which are crucial for understanding the directionality of DNA. The 5' end has a phosphate group, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group, influencing how DNA is replicated and transcribed.

Nucleotide Orientation

Nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, are linked together by phosphodiester bonds between the 5' phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl group of another. This orientation is essential for understanding how DNA strands are synthesized and how they interact with enzymes during processes like replication and transcription.

DNA Terminology

In molecular biology, the terms '5' end' and '3' end' are used to describe the orientation of the DNA strands. When analyzing a diagram, identifying which end is labeled as 5' or 3' helps determine the direction of the DNA strand and its relationship to other components, such as genes or regulatory elements, which may be crucial for answering questions about the diagram.