The element phosphorus is unique to nucleic acids compared with other macromolecules.
Missing Word
phosphorus
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are composed of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases. Phosphorus is a key component of the phosphate groups that link the sugars, a feature not found in proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids.
Question 2
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the macromolecule thought to be responsible for heredity was protein.
Missing Word
protein
Before the discovery of DNA's role in heredity, proteins were considered the prime candidates due to their complexity and diversity. Early experiments were misinterpreted, leading to the belief that proteins carried genetic information.
Question 3
The end of a nucleic acid strand with a free phosphate group is called the 5ʹ end.
Missing Word
5ʹ end
The 5' end of a nucleic acid strand is defined by the presence of a free phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the terminal sugar. This distinguishes it from the 3' end, which has a free hydroxyl group.
Question 4
Plasmids are typically transferred among members of a bacterial community by horizontal gene transfer.
Missing Word
horizontal
Horizontal gene transfer is the process by which genetic material is transferred between organisms that are not parent and offspring. Plasmids are often transferred via mechanisms like conjugation, transduction, or transformation, all examples of horizontal gene transfer.