1. Nucleic Acids Structure Function In Your Diet Genes and DNA

2. - Nucleic acids are composed of monomers called NUCLEOTIDES. - Nucleotides are made up of three components: a hexose sugar, phosphate group and Nitrogen-containing base. TYPES OF NUCLEIC ACIDS ~ DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid is used to store genetic information in the cell. ~ RNA- Ribonucleic Acid is used to carry genetic info from DNA to ribosomes when making proteins. ~ ATP- Adenosine Triphosphate powers the functions of the cells. - DNA is bonded together at the bases in a Double Helix formation by Hydrogen bonds. This causes it to be easily “unzipped” and ideal for crime solving through DNA fingerprinting. - The bases of DNA are: Guanine and Cytosine, that pair together, along with Adenine and Thymine which also pair. Structure of Nucleic Acids

3. DNA: A Nucleic Acid Nucleic acids are very important to all life on earth. They make up DNA, the double helix “information packet” that determines what a living thing is. DNA even determines whether or not an organism is a plant or an animal! The nucleic acids, or bases (adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C)) are used in DNA to code the information. And so, depending on what one of your DNA’s bases is, you may have either brown or blonde hair!

4. Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are very difficult to find in foods. All foods have nucleic acids, but the amounts are so small that they (nucleic acids) are not noted on the food labels. Nucleic acids are one of the many foods that can slow down the aging process. Foods such as vegetables and soy products are great sources for nucleic acids.

5. The Scientific uses of Nucleic Acids -They have 2 functions: -pass on hereditary characteristics -trigger the manufacture of proteins -Scientists are studying Nucleic Acids in cells by studying how cells know in what location of the organism they are going to function (How do cells know what they want to be?). This problem occurs during embryology and the development of the fetus. -A Chromosome is a thread-like structure found in the cell nucleus that contains the nucleic acid Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). -A Gene is a specific location on a chromosome that determines traits like eye color or hair color.