Biochemistry : Identifying Biochemical Molecules

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #84 : Identification By Structure

Cytidine

Identify the given nucleotide, nucleoside or nitrogenous base.

Possible Answers:

Cytidine

Adenosine

Deoxycytidine

Cytosine

Uridine

Correct answer:

Cytidine

Explanation:

This nucleoside is cytidine. If the base were not bound to the sugar, this would be cytosine. If the 2' hydroxyl group were missing, this structure would be deoxycytidine. (The 2' hydroxyl is the  closest to the glycosidic bond between the base and the sugar). 

Example Question #17 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following composes nucleotides?

Possible Answers:

Pentose, nitrogenous base, phosphate

Phosphate, nitrogenous base, fructose

Nitrogenous base, phosphate, glucose

Ribose, nitrogenous base, phosphate

Purines, pyrimidines, pentose, nucleotide base

Correct answer:

Pentose, nitrogenous base, phosphate

Explanation:

Nucleotides are formed by a pentose sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, or uracil), and one or more phosphate groups. Polymers of nucleotides are known as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).

Example Question #18 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following nucleic acid bases is not in the right category?

Possible Answers:

Thymine - pyrimidine

Adenine - purine

Cytosine - pyrimidine

Uracil - purine

Guanine - purine

Correct answer:

Uracil - purine

Explanation:

The pyrimidines, which contain a single six-membered ring, are uracil, cytosine, and thymine. The purines, which contain a six-membered ring and a five-membered ring, are adenine and guanine. A mnemonic to help you remember these two groups is that pyrimidines, like pyramids are sharp - and sharp things CUT (cytosine, uracil, thymine).

Example Question #21 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following nucleotides are purines?

Possible Answers:

Cytosine and thymine

Thymine and guanine

Adenine and guanine

Cytosine and adenine

Adenine and cytosine

Correct answer:

Adenine and guanine

Explanation:

Adenine and guanine are purines, while cytosine and thymine are pyrimidines.  A helpful mnemonic for this is Pure (purine) As (adenine) Gold (guanine).  Note that uracil is a pyrimidine, but is only seen in RNA.

Example Question #22 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

In the eukaryotic ribosome, the sedimentation coefficient for the small subunit is __________ and large subunit is __________.

Possible Answers:

60S . . . 80S

40S . . . 60S

35S . . . 70S

20S . . . 60S

40S . . . 70S

Correct answer:

40S . . . 60S

Explanation:

The 80S eukaryotic ribosome is made up of 40S and 60S subunits.

Example Question #23 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

In the prokaryotic ribosome, the sedimentation coefficient for the small subunit is __________ and large subunit is __________.

Possible Answers:

40S . . . 60S

20S . . . 40S

20S . . . 60S

30S . . . 40S

30S . . . 50S

Correct answer:

30S . . . 50S

Explanation:

The 70S prokaryotic ribosome is made up of 30S and 50S subunits.

Example Question #355 : Biochemistry

Which prokaryotic translation initiation factor (IF) forms a ternary complex with mRNA, fMet-tRNA, and GTP?

Possible Answers:

IF-4

IF-3

IF-2

IF-1

IF-5

Correct answer:

IF-2

Explanation:

IF-3 binds to the 30S subunit first. Then IF-2 forms the ternary complex, and it binds with IF-1 to the 30S subunit. Upon release of IF-1 and IF-3, the 50S subunit will bind to prepare for translation.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following is not considered to be a pyrimidine derivative?

Possible Answers:

Guanine and adenine

Thymine and adenine

Uracil

Cytosine

Thymine

Correct answer:

Guanine and adenine

Explanation:

The nitrogenous bases that are considered to be pyrimidine derivatives are thymine, cytosine, and uracil. Thus, the purines are adenine and guanine. The mnemonic Pure As Gold (Purines = Adenine and Guanine) can be used to remember which bases are purines.

Example Question #25 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Which of the following components might be found in a nucleoside molecule?

I. Phosphate group

II. Pentose

III. Uracil

Possible Answers:

II only

II and III

I and II

I only

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

Nucleotides are monomers of nucleic acids and are made up of three molecules: nitrogenous base (uracil, thymine, cytosine, adenine or guanine), pentose sugar (deoxyribose for DNA and ribose for RNA) and phosphate group. Nucleosides, on the other hand, are molecules that only contain nitrogenous base and pentose sugar; they do not contain phosphate groups.

Example Question #26 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

A researcher is analyzing two nucleic acids. He observes that the molecular weight of molecule A is three times as much as molecule B. Based on the given information, which of the following can you conclude?

Possible Answers:

Molecule A has more adenine and guanine

Cannot conclude any of these based on the given information

Molecule A has uracil while molecule B doesn’t

Molecule B has more adenine and guanine

Correct answer:

Cannot conclude any of these based on the given information

Explanation:

The question states that molecule A is heavier than molecule B. This could result from several reasons. First, molecule A could be a double stranded DNA and molecule B could be a single stranded RNA. This will allow the DNA molecule to be a lot heavier than its RNA counterpart. Second, molecule A could contain more purines (adenine and guanine) than molecule B). Recall that purines are two membered rings whereas pyrimidines (uracil, cytosine and thymine) are one membered rings. This means purines have more atoms and, therefore, have a higher molecular weight.

We are not given enough information to determine the identity or the distribution of nitrogenous bases in molecule A and B; therefore, we cannot conclude any of the given statements.

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