1. Nucleic Acids Not considered a nutrient macromolecule
They are complex compounds that
determine how the cell functions and
what characteristics it has.

2. Nucleic Acids There are two types of nucleic acids:
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Determines the heredity of the cell
“double helix” 2 chains of nucleic acids
RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Active in making proteins for the cell
A single chain of nucleic acids
Made from DNA (in the nucleus) and acts as a messenger to provide information in the cell

3. Structure of Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are polymers
- a polymer is a long chain made up of repeating structural units – just like carbs/proteins/lipids
The structural unit (building block) for a nucleic acid is called a nucleotide.

4. Nucleotides Nucleic acids consist of nucleotides made up of:
Nitrogen base
Sugar molecule
Phosphate group
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5. Structure of DNA DNA has the following 4 nitrogen bases: Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Thymine

6. Complementary Base Pairs
Two H bonds for A-T
Three H bonds for G-C

7. Double Helix of DNA

8. Structure of RNA RNA has the following 4 nitrogen bases: Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Uracil

9. Learning Check
Write the complementary base sequence for the matching strand in the following DNA section:
-G-A-G-C-T-A-T-T-C-G-A-
• • • • • • • • • •

10. Solution NA1
Write the complementary base sequence for the matching strand in the following DNA section: -G-A-G-C-T-A-T-T-C-G-A • • • • • • • • • • -C-T-C-G-A-T-A-A-G-C-T

11. DNA Replication
DNA in the chromosomes replicates itself every cell division
Maintains correct genetic information
Two strands of DNA unwind
Each strand acts like a template
New bases pair with their complementary base
Two double helixes form that are copies of original DNA

12. DNA Unwinds
G- -C A- -T C- -G T- -A
G-C
A-T
C-G
T-A

13. DNA Copied with Base Pairs
Two copies of original DNA strand G-C G-C A-T A-T C-G C-G T-A G-A

14. Protein Production
DNA “codes” for genetic information including protein structures.
DNA unwinds and an RNA strand is formed.
RNA is free to travel in the cell (to ribosomes)
Ribosomes read the “code” and arrange amino acids in the specific sequence required.