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Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA Explained

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are large biomolecules that store, transmit, and express genetic information in living organisms, composed of nucleotide monomers. DNA is double-stranded and stable, while RNA is single-stranded and flexible, playing roles in protein synthesis. Genetic material is inherited from parents and RNA is synthesized from DNA through transcription.

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Brieanne Boreroz
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10 views10 pages

Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA Explained

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are large biomolecules that store, transmit, and express genetic information in living organisms, composed of nucleotide monomers. DNA is double-stranded and stable, while RNA is single-stranded and flexible, playing roles in protein synthesis. Genetic material is inherited from parents and RNA is synthesized from DNA through transcription.

Uploaded by

Brieanne Boreroz
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

NUCLEIC

ACIDS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules, including
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA
(ribonucleic acid), that store, transmit, and
express genetic information in living organisms.
They are composed of nucleotide monomers,
which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and
a nitrogenous base.
The building blocks of nucleic acids are nucleotides.
Each nucleotide consists of three components:

Sugar – A five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA,


ribose in RNA).

Phosphate Group – Links nucleotides together to


form the backbone.

Nitrogenous Base – Can be adenine (A), thymine (T,


only in DNA), uracil (U, only in RNA), cytosine (C), or
guanine (G).
molecular structure
NUCLEIC ACIDS were first isolated from the nuclei of
white blood cells by FRIEDRICH MIESCHER in the
1860s. The origin of the name nucleic acid came from
“nuclein,” the term used by Miescher to describe a
weak acidic substance that he found in the cell nuclei.
Just like the other biomolecules, the nucleic acid
structure is composed of the elements CARBON,
HYDROGEN, OXYGEN, and NITROGEN but it DOES
NOT CONTAIN SULFUR.
DNA RNA

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)


and RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
definition are nucleic acids that store are nucleic acids that store
and transmit genetic and transmit genetic
information. information.

stores genetic
Job and role helps synthesize proteins.
instructions

double-stranded and single-stranded and more


Unique Features
stable flexible.

Predominant Structure forms a double helix usually a single strand


DNA RNA

has thymine (T) and


Bases and Sugars has uracil (U) and ribose
deoxyribose

Pairing of Bases A-T, C-G A-U, C-G

more stable due to its more prone to


Stability
double helix degradation

RNA is transcribed from


replicates before cell
Propagation DNA for protein
division
synthesis
Our DNA comes from our biological
parents. We inherit half of our DNA
from our mother (via the egg) and half
from our father (via the sperm). This
genetic material combines to form a
unique set of instructions that
determines our traits, such as eye
color, height, and even some aspects
of our personality and health
Our RNA comes from our DNA. It is
synthesized in the nucleus through a
process called transcription, where a
specific section of DNA is copied into RNA
by an enzyme called RNA polymerase. This
newly formed RNA then moves to the
cytoplasm to perform its functions, such
as protein synthesis (mRNA), amino acid
transport (tRNA), and ribosome formation
(rRNA).

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