Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Molecules that contain the genetic information

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Hereditary material of ALL living organisms

DNA location in eukaryotes

In the nucleus, and in the organelles mitochondria and chloroplasts

Genome

The entire genetic (DNA) content of an organism

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

Mostly involved in protein synthesis

Nucleotides

The monomers (building blocks) that make up DNA and RNA

Nitrogenous base

Component of nucleotide; either purines (double ring) or pyrimidine (single ring)

Pentose sugar

5-carbon sugar component of nucleotide (Deoxyribose in DNA, Ribose in RNA)

Phosphate group

Component of nucleotide; bonds nucleotides together

Nucleotide bonding

Two nucleotides bond when an oxygen on the phosphate group forms a covalent bond with the 3' carbon of another nucleotide in a dehydration synthesis reaction

Double-helix structure

The shape of DNA consisting of 2 strands of nucleotides

DNA backbone

Alternating sugar and phosphate

DNA interior

Nitrogenous bases are paired (hydrogen bonded) in the interior

Antiparallel orientation

The two strands run in opposite directions (one 5' to 3', the other 3' to 5')

Complementary base-pairing (DNA)

G with C; A with T

Complementary base-pairing (RNA)

G with C; A with U

DNA function

Carries genetic information

RNA function

Involved in protein synthesis

DNA location

Remains in the nucleus

RNA location

Leaves the nucleus

DNA structure

Double-stranded

RNA structure

Usually single-stranded

DNA sugar

Deoxyribose

RNA sugar

Ribose