1. Nucleic Acids

2. Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Ribonucleic Acid
Nucleic Acids
Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Ribonucleic Acid
Roles:
Information storage
Work together to translate stored data into functioning proteins
Atoms and structure:
C, H, O, N, P
DNA is a double helix and long
RNA is a single chain; three types so length can vary

3. Nucleic Acids Monomers:
Nucleotides make up the basis of both DNA and RNA
Each nucleotide consists of:
A nitrogenous base (guanine, cytosine, adenine, RNA – uracil, DNA – thymine)
A pentose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose)
A phosphate group

4. Nucleic Acid
A nucleotide…

5. Nucleic Acids

6. Nucleic Acid Polymers:
DNA’s nucleotides form two sides of a long ‘ladder’ that coils in water
Each side runs antiparallel
RNA’s nucleotides form one straight chain that folds upon itself to form functional shape
mRNA: single side copy of info on DNA strand
tRNA: carrier molecule for amino acids
rRNA: part of the structure of ribsomes

7. Nucleic Acids Linkages:
Nucleotide + Nucleotide by a phosphodiester bond
DNA strands across the middle by H-bonds (temporary but relatively strong)
Reactions:
Build: Dehydration Synthesis
Break: Hydrolysis (between nucleotides)