(2) Why are some features of DNA structure important for, or have implications for it, to perform its function as the genetic material? 9 (2a) Why is the fact that DNA contains deoxyribo nucleotides important for it to act as the genetic material? One of the following is partly INCORRECT so choose that one. A: They fact that the sugar in these nucleotides is deoxyribose rather than ribose makes DNA more stable than RNA. B: There are different types of nucleotides with different nitrogenous bases and four are found in DNA and this is essential for it to carry information C: Can polymerize into nucleotide chains that can carry information D: The only nucleotide pairs that can form by hydrogen bonding are G : C and A : T and this restriction is essential for the two strands in the double helix to be complementary and so essential for it to be copied 10 (2b) The two strands in the DNA double helix are complementary, why is this important for it to act as the genetic material? One of the following is INCORRECT (or does not necessarily apply) so choose that one. A: This allows it to be copied B: This is essential for it to encode information C: This allows it to transfer information to control the traits of an organism D: This is important in allowing some mutations to be repaired 11 (2c) The bases are in the center but are still accessible; what are the implications of this? One of the following is INCORRECT so choose that one. A: This allows for proteins, in particular transcription factors, to interact with DNA in a sequence specific manner, and control activities, in particular transcription B: This keeps the hydrophobic bases away from water, allowing it to interact with the more hydrophilic sugarphosphate backbone to be on the outside -C: It makes helix less stable, and this is essential for copying D: It means the helix has to unwind for copying and transfer of information. 12 (2d) The two strands are antiparallel, what is the key implications of this? A: It makes unwinding the strands more difficult than if they were parallel B: It means that all the information in genes must be carried on only one strand (the other strand is just a complementary copy) C: It reduces the hydrogen bonding between the strands, making replication energetically more favorable D: It means replication cannot proceed in the same manner on both strands at a replication fork .

1. (2) Why are some features of DNA structure important for, or have implications for it, to
perform its function as the genetic material? 9 (2a) Why is the fact that DNA contains deoxyribo
nucleotides important for it to act as the genetic material? One of the following is partly
INCORRECT so choose that one. A: They fact that the sugar in these nucleotides is deoxyribose
rather than ribose makes DNA more stable than RNA. B: There are different types of nucleotides
with different nitrogenous bases and four are found in DNA and this is essential for it to carry
information C: Can polymerize into nucleotide chains that can carry information D: The only
nucleotide pairs that can form by hydrogen bonding are G : C and A : T and this restriction is
essential for the two strands in the double helix to be complementary and so essential for it to be
copied 10 (2b) The two strands in the DNA double helix are complementary, why is this
important for it to act as the genetic material? One of the following is INCORRECT (or does not
necessarily apply) so choose that one. A: This allows it to be copied B: This is essential for it to
encode information C: This allows it to transfer information to control the traits of an organism
D: This is important in allowing some mutations to be repaired 11 (2c) The bases are in the
center but are still accessible; what are the implications of this? One of the following is
INCORRECT so choose that one. A: This allows for proteins, in particular transcription factors,
to interact with DNA in a sequence specific manner, and control activities, in particular
transcription B: This keeps the hydrophobic bases away from water, allowing it to interact with
the more hydrophilic sugarphosphate backbone to be on the outside -C: It makes helix less
stable, and this is essential for copying D: It means the helix has to unwind for copying and
transfer of information. 12 (2d) The two strands are antiparallel, what is the key implications of
this? A: It makes unwinding the strands more difficult than if they were parallel B: It means that
all the information in genes must be carried on only one strand (the other strand is just a
complementary copy) C: It reduces the hydrogen bonding between the strands, making
replication energetically more favorable D: It means replication cannot proceed in the same
manner on both strands at a replication fork