A1.2 Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids = biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information in living organisms

2 types of Nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

Nucleotides

Phosphate Group + Pentose Sugar + Nitrogenous Base

Phosphate group connects to multiple pentose sugars to produce polymers

Covalently Bonded

Polymer

Bonded Nucleotides to form polymers of condensation reactions

All connected by covalent bonds

Condensation Reaction

Occurs when nucleotides are bonded by covalent bonds between phosphate and pentose sugar

Which releases a water molecule

Nitrogenous Base for DNA

Adenine -Thymine (only pair) Cytosine - Guanine (only pair)

Complimentary base pairing

Nitrogenous base for RNA

Adenine - Uracil (only pair) Cytosine - Guanine (only pair)

Complimentary base pairing

DNA

DNA carries the genetic instructions for development + functioning + reproduction

Permanent genetic code for all cells

Made of Chromosomes

In all LIVING organisms

Contains deoxyribose as pentose (one less H)

2 anti parallel strands = double helix

Strands linked with hydrogen bonds (bond between bases)

RNA

RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.

Viruses = not living organism consists of RNA

Contains Ribose as pentose (has one more O)

Only 1 helix

Does not contain permanent genetic code for all cells especially viruses

mRNA

Messenger RNA

carries genetic info from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm

template for protein synthesis during translation

carries instructions for building proteins

tRNA

transfer RNA

Plays role in protein synthesis: carries amino acids to the ribosomes, where are assembled into proteins according to the instructions provided by mRNA (messenger RNA)

tRNA molecules => specific anticodon sequence that pairs with the codon sequence on mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the protein chain.

rRNA

ribosomal RNA.

type of RNA molecule that plays role in protein synthesis.

component of the ribosomes, which are the cellular structures responsible for assembling proteins.

rRNA helps in the decoding of mRNA and the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis.

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate

molecule that serves as the primary energy currency in cells.

Single nucleotide nucleic acid

When one phosphate group is removed from ATP through hydrolysis, it releases energy

Muscles use ATP as energy source

Purpose of cell respiration is to convert energy in food molecules to ATP

Ribose

C5 H10 O5

One more alcohol or hydroxyl group (OH bonded to a carbon)

Deoxyribose

C5 H10 O4

Genetic Codes

sequence bases for genes

Codes for amino acids

building blocks of proteins

Cell identity

determined by ability to synthesize

Triplet Codon

Every 3 base that stores genetic information

Lots of bases in DNA are used for 1 of 20 amino acids

4 different nucleotides can be arranged as triplets

odds of having a triplet in 1 location = ¼ x ¼ x ¼= 1/64

due to ¼ chance of having a certain nitrogenous base

Genetic Uniqueness

triplet codes used to synthesize proteins + produce amino acids

Genetic code is said to be universal