Nucleic Acids: Structure and Composition

Definition and Structure

• Nucleic acids are biomolecules that contain the genetic instructions used in the development and function of all living organisms.
• They are composed of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids.
• Each nucleotide consists of:
  • A five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA)
  • A phosphate group
  • A nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine in DNA; adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil in RNA)

Types of Nucleic Acids

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid):
  • Double-stranded molecule
  • Contains the genetic information necessary for the development and function of an organism
  • Found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells
• RNA (Ribonucleic acid):
  • Single-stranded molecule
  • Involved in protein synthesis, catalysis, and the transmission of genetic information
  • Found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes of cells

Functions of Nucleic Acids

• Storage and transmission of genetic information: Nucleic acids contain the instructions for the development and function of an organism.
• Replication and transcription: Nucleic acids are replicated and transcribed to produce new copies of genetic material.
• Protein synthesis: RNA molecules are used to translate genetic information into proteins.
• Regulation of gene expression: Nucleic acids can regulate gene expression by controlling the transcription and translation of genes.

Other Key Concepts

• Base pairing: The process by which nitrogenous bases pair with each other in a complementary manner (A-T and G-C in DNA; A-U and G-C in RNA).
• Helix structure: The double-stranded structure of DNA, where two complementary strands are twisted together in a spiral fashion.
• Nucleic acid synthesis: The process by which new nucleic acid molecules are synthesized from nucleotides.

Definition and Structure

• Nucleic acids are biomolecules that contain the genetic instructions used in the development and function of all living organisms.
• Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids.
• Each nucleotide consists of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Types of Nucleic Acids

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

• Double-stranded molecule.
• Contains the genetic information necessary for the development and function of an organism.
• Found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

• Single-stranded molecule.
• Involved in protein synthesis, catalysis, and the transmission of genetic information.
• Found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes of cells.

Functions of Nucleic Acids

• Storage and transmission of genetic information: Nucleic acids contain the instructions for the development and function of an organism.
• Replication and transcription: Nucleic acids are replicated and transcribed to produce new copies of genetic material.
• Protein synthesis: RNA molecules are used to translate genetic information into proteins.
• Regulation of gene expression: Nucleic acids can regulate gene expression by controlling the transcription and translation of genes.

Other Key Concepts

Base Pairing

• The process by which nitrogenous bases pair with each other in a complementary manner (A-T and G-C in DNA; A-U and G-C in RNA).

Helix Structure

• The double-stranded structure of DNA, where two complementary strands are twisted together in a spiral fashion.

Nucleic Acid Synthesis

• The process by which new nucleic acid molecules are synthesized from nucleotides.

Learn about the building blocks of life, including the composition of nucleotides, sugar molecules, phosphate groups, and nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA.