1. Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids
Chem of Life
Macromolecules:
Nucleic Acids

2. Nucleic Acids
Biomolecules
Store and Transmit Hereditary Information

3. Examples (Types) of Nucleic Acids
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

4. DNA Functions Provides directions for its own replication
Direct RNA synthesis
& through RNA controls protein synthesis

5. Genes Consist of DNA (a nucleic acid polymer)
Molecules that enable living organisms to reproduce their complex components from one generation to the next.

6. DNA Inherited from parents
Each chromosome contains one long DNA molecule with several hundred to more than a thousand genes)
Copied before cell division to be passed onto next generation.

7. Molecular Structure: Monomer: nucleotide
Each nucleotide monomer consists of:
A phosphate group
Pentose sugar
Nitrogenous base

8. RNA Structure Polynucleotide: Simple polynucleotide (single strand)
Pentose Sugar = Ribose
Nitrogenous base (a purine or a pyrimidine)
Phosphate group
Simple polynucleotide (single strand)

9. RNA

10. DNA Structure Polynucleotide: Double Stranded
Pentose Sugar = deoxyribose
Nitrogenous base (a purine or a pyrimidine)
Phosphate group
Double Stranded

11. DNA

14. Ribose vs. Deoxyribose
Deoxyribose lacks an Oxygen atom on the second C in the ring

15. FYI
Numbered Carbons have a prime (‘) after them, note the 5’ C end is the one that sticks out from the ring.
The phosphate group attached to the 5’ C of the ring

16. Recap Nucleic Acid Polymer = polynucleotides
Examples: DNA & RNA
Nucleic Acid Monomer = nucleotide
Nucleoside (nitrogenous base & pentose)
Phosphate group

17. Nitrogenous Bases
Two families:
Pyrimidine
Purine

18. Pyrimidine: 6-membered ring & N atoms Members include:
N atoms take up the H+ from solution (base)
Members include:
Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
(found only in DNA)
Uracil (U)
(found only in RNA)

19. Pyrimidine:

20. Purines Larger 6-membered ring fused to a 5-membered ring
Members include:
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)

21. Purines

22. Nitrogenous Base Functional Groups
Vary
Attached to the rings
(Handout)

23. Polymerization
Adjacent nucleotides are joined by covalent bonds (phosphodiester linkages)
Involves the –OH group on 3’ C of one nucleotide to the phosphate group on the 5’ C of another nucleotide

24. Polymerization
Result = backbone with repeating sugar-phosphate with a distinct 3’ and 5’ ends
DNA (The 2 sugar phosphate strands run in opposite directions = antiparallel)
The nitrogenous bases stick out like appendages and are complementary in DNA.

25. Biological Staining:
Acridine orange (AO) is a nucleic acid selective fluorescent cationic dye useful for cell cycle determination. It is cell-permeable, and interacts with DNA and RNA by intercalation or electrostatic attractions. When bound to DNA, it is very similar spectrally to fluorescein. Like fluorescein, it is also useful as a non-specific stain for backlighting conventionally stained cells on the surface of a solid sample of tissue (fluorescence backlighted staining[4]).
Wells J. (1988) A Technique for Staining the Superficial Cells of Plucked Hair Follicles and Other Solid Tissues, Stain Technology, Vol 63, No3.

26. Resources: http://www.millerandlevine.com/chapter/12/bases.html
2006 Miller & Levine Prentice Hall Biology
2005 Campbell & Reece Biology 7th ed