1. Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids provide the directions for building proteins. Two main types…  DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid  Genetic material (genes) that are passed on from parent to offspring  Codes the amino acids sequence to create a protein  RNA – ribonucleic acid  Helps translate the genetic code to make proteins

2. NUCLEOTIDES Nucleic acids are polymers made from the monomers called nucleotides 3 parts of a nucleotide – 1.Sugar (either deoxyribose or ribose) 2.Phosphate group (phosphorus atom bonded to oxygen atoms) 3.Nitrogenous base  DNA bases  Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine  RNA bases  Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil

3. DNA Strands DNA is many nucleotides chemically bonded in a specific sequence into a polymer by using dehydration synthesis. DNA is composed of two strands wrapped around each other in a Double helix. In the center of the helix, the nucleotide bases are held together by hydrogen bonds. This base-pairing is specific –Adenine bonds with Thymine –Guanine bonds with Cytosine

4. DNA Replication  Before a cell can divide the DNA must copy itself in DNA Replication.  It uses a semi-conservative model by having each strand used as a template for the new strand.  This ensures that the DNA of the offspring is identical to the parent.

5. Evolutionary Link DNA and Protein