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Question: Explain the structure and functions of the Genetic Code.
Answer: The Genetic Code is made up of the nucleic acids Deoxyribose (DNA) and Ribose (RNA), which are polymers of nucleotides. A nucleotide is a section of DNA made up of three molecules, a five-carbon sugar, a phosphoric acid molecule and a nitrogen containing organic base, which are all joined by condensation reactions. DNA differs from RNA in a number of ways. Firstly DNA consists of two polynucleotide strands, which are joined together by hydrogen bonding which forms a double helix, whereas RNA consists of one single polynucleotide strand. In DNA there are the four bases in Cytosine, Guanine, Thymine and Adenine, whereas in RNA Thymine is replaced by Uracil. The bases join together according to complementary base pairing, A to T/U and C to G, because this is the correct length. The DNA helix...(short extract)
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Details: Mark: Not available | Subject: Biology | Course: Biology | Level: A-Level | Year: Not applicable | Document type: Essay* | Words: 1649 | References: No | Date written: Not available | Date submitted: March 16, 2009 | Essay ID: 1003
