1. Biochemistry Part VI - Nucleic Acids

2. 4. Nucleic acids
Molecules containing hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, & phosphorus.
There are two nucleic acids the be studied in an upcoming chapter, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

3. Nucleic acids (cont’d)
The building blocks of nucleic acids are called nucleotides, which consist of 3 parts: a 5-carbon sugar (called ribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base.

4. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER TO MAKE THE PROTOPLASMIC SLURPEE OF LIFE!!!!!
1. 70% Water – transports nutrients, hormones, antibodies to cells, helps regulate body temperature, helps get rid of wastes, involved in dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, etc.

5. Putting it all together (cont’d)
2. 16% Protein – amino acids! Used in growth, development, & repair, makes enzymes, antibodies, hormones
3. 3% Carbohydrates – most efficient energy source! Mono- , di-, and polysaccharides….

6. Putting it all together (cont’d)
4. 2% Fats (lipids) – most concentrated energy source, storage of energy, cellular structures, helps body absorb vitamins (A, D, E, etc.)
5. 1% Minerals – sodium – regulate water levels in cells, potassium and calcium – critical to cell communication, etc.

7. Putting it all together (cont’d)
6. 1% Vitamins – used to make (and sometimes act as) coenzymes.
7. 7% Nucleic Acids – RNA & DNA – instructions for building life’s molecules!