DNA and RNA

What is DNA

• DNA controls the genetic makeup of organisms

• It is a polymer of nucleotides - which are made up of a phosphate group, a sugar and a nitrogenous base

Structure of DNA

• it is a double helix structure

→ the main parts - the “backbone”- sugar + phosphate & “stairs” of the ladder - nitrogenous bases

DNA - nitrogenous base pairing

• Adenine + thymine → purines

• Cytosine + guanine → pyrimidines

→ these are bound by hydrogen bonds

→ complementary base pairing → determines sequence of a DNA strand if it’s single stranded

RNA vs DNA

• RNA has a single helix structure whereas DNA has a double helix structure

• RNA has uracil instead of thymeine

• RNA contains ribose sugar whereas DNA contains deoxyribose sugar

Types of RNA - messenger

Transcript of the specific DNA instruction (ie: a temporary photocopy of gene)

Types of RNA - transfer RNA

• delivers the amino acids (the subunits of proteins)

Types of RNA - ribosomal RNA

• component of the ribosome → (the protein manufacturer)