Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

• Nucleotides are biomolecules that play an important role in energy and information transfer.
• Single nucleotides include ATP, ADP, and cyclic AMP.
• Nucleic acids, such as RNA and DNA, store and transmit genetic information.
• The sugar of one nucleotide links to the phosphate of the next, creating a chain of alternating sugar-phosphate chains, or backbone, which is the same for every nucleic acid molecule.
• Nucleotides chains form strands of DNA and RNA.

Protein Structure

• Amino acids can link together by peptide bonds to form oligopeptides, polypeptides, and proteins.
• Primary structure: The sequence of amino acids in a peptide chain.
• The 20 amino acids can create an almost infinite number of combinations.
• Secondary structure: Created primarily by hydrogen bonds between adjacent chains or loops.
• Tertiary structure: The three-dimensional shape of a protein.
• Quaternary structure: Multiple subunits combine with non-covalent bonds.

DNA, RNA, and Nucleotide Pairing

• RNA: A single-strand nucleic acid with ribose as the sugar in the backbone, and four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil.

Free Radicals

• A molecule or ion with unpaired electrons that will try to "steal" an electron from another molecule.

Chemical Bonds

• Covalent bonds: Strong bonds formed when adjacent atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to form molecules.
• Ionic bonds: Strong bonds between cations and anions (opposite charges attract).
• Hydrogen bonds: An attractive force between a hydrogen atom and a nearby fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen.
• Van der Waals forces: Attraction between the nucleus of any atom and the electrons of nearby atoms.

Biomolecules

• Carbohydrates: Most abundant, simple sugars (monosaccharides/disaccharides), and complex polymers (polysaccharides).
• Lipids: Made up of C and H, non-polar, and structurally diverse (triglycerides, phospholipids, eicosanoids, steroids).
• Proteins: Made up of amino acids, with a versatile structure and function.

Hormones

• Hormones are cell-to-cell communication molecules.
• Made in glands or cells, secreted into the blood for transport, and exert their effect on distant target tissue receptors.
• Activate physiological responses, controlling rates of enzymatic reactions, transport of ions or molecules across cell membranes, and gene expression and protein synthesis.
• Classifications: Peptide or protein hormones, steroid hormones, and amine hormones.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

• Posterior pituitary releases vasopressin (ADH) and oxytocin.
• Hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland are connected through the hypothalamic hypophyseal portal system.
• The hypothalamic hypophyseal portal system directs trophic hormone delivery from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary through blood vessels.

This quiz covers the basics of nucleotides and nucleic acids, including their roles in energy and information transfer, and genetic information storage and transmission.