AP Biology Flashcards: DNA and RNA Structure
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the fundamental base-pairing rule for nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids follow conserved base-pairing rules where purines pair with pyrimidines.
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What is the fundamental base-pairing rule for nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids follow conserved base-pairing rules where purines pair with pyrimidines.
Can plasmids be found in organisms with linear chromosomes?
Yes, both prokaryotes (with circular chromosomes) and eukaryotes (with linear chromosomes) can contain plasmids.
What key characteristic of DNA allows it to serve as the primary source of heritable information?
DNA's structure allows it to store and pass hereditary information from one generation to the next.
A scientist discovers a new single-celled organism with a single, circular chromosome. Is it more likely to be a prokaryote or a eukaryote?
It is more likely to be a prokaryote, as prokaryotes typically have circular chromosomes.
How does chromosome structure typically differ between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes typically have circular chromosomes, whereas eukaryotes have multiple linear chromosomes.
Distinguish between purines and pyrimidines based on their structure.
Purines (like A and G) are double-ringed nitrogenous bases, while pyrimidines (like C, T, and U) are single-ringed.
What molecules are primarily responsible for storing and passing on hereditary information?
Genetic information is stored in and passed on to the next generation through DNA molecules, and in some cases, RNA.
What are plasmids?
Plasmids are small, extrachromosomal, circular DNA molecules found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
If a DNA strand has a base sequence rich in Adenine (A) and Guanine (G), what class of bases will be most abundant on its complementary strand?
The complementary strand will be rich in pyrimidines (Cytosine and Thymine), as purines always pair with pyrimidines.
Describe the typical chromosome structure found in eukaryotes.
Eukaryotes store their genetic information in multiple, linear chromosomes.