Question

Hairpins often form at palindromic sequences in single strands of either RNA or DNA. However, several key features differentiate the helical structure of an RNA and a DNA hairpin. Select the statements that describe the helical structure of an RNA hairpin.
A) The hairpin adopts a right-handed helix with a diameter of 20 Å .

B) The pentose in the hairpin adopts only the C-3\' endo pucker conformation.

C) The hairpin adopts a right-handed helix with a diameter of 26 Å .

D) The hairpin contains G:C, A:U, and sometimes G:U base pairs.

E) The pentose in the hairpin adopts either the C-2\' or the C-3\' endo pucker conformation.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

B) The pentose in the hairpin adopts only the C-3\' endo pucker conformation.

C) The hairpin adopts a right-handed helix with a diameter of 26 Å .

D) The hairpin contains G:C, A:U, and sometimes G:U base pairs.

DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids. Aside the structural difference of DNA being double stranded and RNA being single stranded, in DNA, the nucleotide bases adenine (A) is paired with thymine (T); while cytosine (C) is paired with guanine (G); howerver in RNA, thymine is replaced with uracil.; thus in RNA, the base pairs are - A:U and G:C

RNA however sometimes take on a dynamic structure, called the wobble case pair where guanine and uracil pair - G:U.

The diameter of RNA is 26 Å, while that of DNA is is 20 Å

The ribose in RNA with a helical structure has a C3’ endo conformation.