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.