NUCLEIC ACIDS

 Store genetic information

 Building blocks of organisms
 They are responsible in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic
information.
 Composed of C, H, N, O, P
 First isolated from the nuclei of white blood cells by Friedrich Miescher in
1860’s.
 The origin of the name Nucleic acid came from “nuclein,” term used by
Miescher meaning weak acidic substance that he found in the cell nuclei.

2 Types of Nucleic Acids

1. DNA ( Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
 Contain the genetic instructions used in the development and
functioning of all living organisms.
 Double-stranded molecule with a long chain of molecules.
 DNA is made of three types of molecules in equal proportions - basic
nucleotides, sugar deoxyribose and acidic phosphate groups.
 Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids

2. RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

 single stranded
 RNA molecules are involves in protein synthesis and sometimes the
transmission of genetic information
 Transfer the genetic code needed for the creation of proteins from the
nucleus to the ribosome.
3 types of RNA
1. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
 Brings the instructions from the nucleus to the cytoplasm to
make proteins
2. Transfer RNA ( tRNA)
 delivers amino acids to the ribosome to be assembled into a
protein
 3. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
 Binds to the mRNA and uses the instructions to bind amino
acids to make a protein.
DNA vs RNA
Components of DNA
 Sugar (deoxyribose)
 Nitrogenous Base (A,G,C,T) Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine,
Thymine
 Phosphate group
Components of RNA
 Sugar (ribose)
 Nitrogenous Base (A,G,C,Uracil)
 RNA does not contain thymine
 Phosphate group

2 groups of bases
Purines and Pyrimidines are the nitrogen-containing "bases"
found in the nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA.

Purines have two rings in their structure,

 Adenine & Guanine
Pyrimidines have only one ring in their structure
 Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U).
DNA and RNA base pair complementary
Nucleic Acid Nucleobases Base complement
DNA Adenine (A)
Thymine (T) A=T, G=C
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)
RNA Adenine (A)
Uracil (U) A=U, G=C
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)