3.1 Nucleic Acids Mini Lecture Radjewski
Keep in mind We will be covering DNA in extreme detail in a later chapter, so for now you just need to know the basic structure and functions.
Nucleic acids are polymers specialized for storage Transmission use of genetic information. Examples: DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid RNA = ribonucleic acid Monomers: Nucleotides
Nucleotide Structure 3 parts 1.Nitrogen Base 2.Pentose Sugar 3.Phosphate Group
Part 1: Nitrogen Bases Nitrogen Bases: Pyrimidines —single rings Purines— double rings
Part 2: Pentose Sugar
Part 3: Phosphate Group
How does a nucleotide make DNA/RNA? Many Condensation reactions Bond is called phosphodiester bond
ATP – another type of nucleotide Adenosine Tri Phosphate Energy currency in cells If it loses a phosphate group, it releases energy! – Then we are left with Adenosine DiPhosphate and an inorganic phosphate group