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Delve into the intricate world of nucleic acids, organic molecules pivotal to metabolic functions in every living cell. Discover the significance of DNA as the life code that orchestrates cellular activities and hereditary information for survival and reproduction. Unravel the composition of nucleotides, nitrogenous bases, phosphate bonds, and the unique structure of DNA, characterized by a double helix and base pairing system. Explore the role of different types of RNA - mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA, in genetic expression and protein synthesis. Journey with us through the tiny world of DNA and uncover its profound impact on life itself.
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NUCLEIC ACIDS Journey to the tiny world of DNA
Nucleic Acids • Organic molecules, include C, H, O, N and P elements. • Have various roles in metabolic activities. • Found in all living cells, • Even in viruses
Why so important? • Contain a life code that controls and regulates the activities of a cell. • Cell uses hereditary information to stay alive and to reproduce.
The Structure of a Nucleotide Nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, thymine,cytosine, uracil) Phosphate (PO4) 1 3 Phosphodiester bond 2 Glycoside bond 5C Sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides.
DNA • Has two strands – double helix • One purine base always pairs with a pyrimidine. • Base pairing system • A – T and G – C • Number of complementary bases are A=T and G=C • Number of Pyrimidine = Purine
3 types of RNA • mRNA, tRNA, rRNA • mRNA (messenger RNA): carry information from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. It’s synthesized in the nucleus over one strand of DNA and this is called transcription.
tRNA (transfer RNA): • Smaller than other RNAs • Carries free amino acids from cytoplasm to the ribosome where protein synthesis is going to take place. • There are 20 different tRNA molecules. WHY?
rRNA (ribosomal RNA) • Forms the main structure of the ribosomes.