Question

The creation of DNA polymers requires energy, why? And how do they acquire the necessary energy?

Why doesn’t the next nucleotide bond to the 2’ carbon in RNA? H

ow would a change in the side chain of an amino acid affect a protein?

Answer 1

For the initiation of replication the DNA double strands must be separated properly and then the individual single strand DNA act as a template for DNA replication. DNA polymerase will add the complementary bases on the daughter strand depending on the tempate strand. The enzyme helicase separates the two of the DNA, which requires ATP as the source of the energy.

The energy required during replication is provided by the nucleotide itself, a nucleotide contains three phosphates, between them only the alpha phosphate will the growing end of the strand, rest of the two phosphates will be eliminated as pyrophosphate. And the hydrolysis of this pyrophosphate will provide the required energy for replication.

The presence of 2'-OH group in the RNA molecule makes it more susceptible for base catalysed hydrolysis. And the polarity always lie in the 5'-3' or 3'-5' direction.

The general structure of all the amino acids are same, the only difference lies in the side chain pf the amino acid. And depending on this side chain an amino acid may be polar, non polar, charged or uncharged or may be aromatic. So, the side chain is the most crucial part of an amino acid. And as we know the building block of the protein is amino acid, depending on the nature of the amino acid the protein may be polar or non polar. Suppose if we change the side chain of a polar amino acid into a non-polar one, then the entire protein structure will be effected. Because each and every amino acid play the same crucial role in the maintenance of the protein structure.