It is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular

basis of biological activity.

Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with
understanding the interactions between the various
systems of a cell, including the interactions between the
different types of DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis
as well as learning how these interactions are regulated.

DNA and RNA:The molecular basis

DNA-DeoxyriboNucleic Acid a molecule

that contains the genetic code of
organisms. This includes animals, plants,
protists, archaea and bacteria.

RNA
RNA-Ribonucleic Acid a polymer of
nucleotides formed on the surface of DNA
by transcription.
3 forms of RNA-mRNA, rRNA, tRNA

Functions of Nucleic AcidStore information that determines the

characteristics of the cells and organisms.
Protein synthesis.
Change the genetic characteristics that
are transmitted to future generations
Replicate prior to reproduction

DNA and importance of Proteins

The cells ability to make a particular
protein comes from the genetic
information stored in the cells DNA. DNA
contains genes, which are specific
messages about how to construct a
protein.
Most of an organisms characteristics are
direct result of proteins.

DNA-structure and function

In 1944,Oswald Avery provided the first

evidence that DNA is the genetic molecule.
Rosalind Franklin used X-ray crystallography to
determine DNAs ,width, length and helical
shape.
Finally, James Watson and Francis Crick created
a model for the structure of DNA in 1952 and
were awarded the Nobel prize for their work.

DNA structure

Nucleic acids are large

polymers made up of many
repeating units called
nucleotides. Each
nucleotide is composed ofa sugar molecule, a
phosphate group and
nitrogenous base.
Four different types of
nitrogenous bases are:
Adenine(A), Guanine(G),
Cytosine(C), Thymine(T).

Sugar + Phosphate + Base=Nucleotide

DNA structure-Double helix

The DNA nucleotides can combine into a long

linear DNA molecule that can pair with another
linear DNA molecule.
The two paired strands form a double helix, with
the sugars and phosphate on the outside and
nitrogenous bases in the inside of the helix.
Base pair rule-It states that Adenine pairs with
thymine and Guanine with Cytosine.

Base pairing in DNA replication-

Arrangement of nucleotides in DNA-In figure below notice

that one strand ends with number 3 while other with 5, this
is because the two strands run in opposite directions.

Adenine-Thymine
Guanine-Cytosine

That is because these particular pairs fit exactly

to form very effective hydrogen bonds with each
other. It is these hydrogen bonds which hold the
two chains together.
Adenine pairs with Thymine with double
hydrogen bond.
Guanine pairs with cytosine with triple hydrogen
bond.

A-T

G-C

DNA ReplicationWhen a cell grows and divides , two new

daughter cells are formed. Both daughter
cells need DNA to survive, so the DNA of
the parent is copied.
One copy is provided to each new cell.
DNA replication- It is the process by which
a cell makes copies of its DNA.
DNA replication depends on DNA basepair rule and many enzymes.

The general process of DNA

replication involves
following steps1. DNA replication begins as
enzymes, called helicases,
attach to the DNA and
separate the two strands. This
forms a replication bubble and
is known as replication fork.
2. As helicases separate the
two strands, another enzyme,
DNA polymerase helps attach
new nucleotides one at a time
onto the surface of the
strands. Nucleotides enter as
per base-pair rule.

The new strands of DNA form on each of

the old DNA strands.

DNA RepairAlthough DNA replication is highly

accurate but errors and damage do occur
to DNA helix.
When one strand is damaged, it is
possible to rebuild this strand by using the
nucleotide sequence on the other side
along with the enzymes.

The DNA Code

DNA stores information.

The order of the nitrogenous bases in DNA is the genetic
information that codes for proteins.
The nitrogenous bases are read in sets of three.
Each sequence of three bases is a code word for a
single amino acids.
Thousands of amino acids join together to form a
protein.
ACC is a code word for the amino acid-Tryptophan.

RNA structure and Functions

Ribonucleic acid is another type of nucleic acid and is

important in protein synthesis.
RNAs nucleotides are different from DNAs nucleotides.
Ribose sugar is present in RNA and has an OH group
where as in DNA deoxyribose sugar with H group is
present.
RNA has Uracil, Guanine, Cytosine and Adenine.
Adenine-Uracil and Guanine Cytosine instead of
Adenine-Thymine in DNA.
RNA is single stranded where as DNA double stranded.

Differences

DNA
Deoxyribose sugar
-H group present
A,T,G and C bases
A-T and G-C
Double stranded
DNA is found in the nucleus
and is the original source to
make proteins.
Base sequence is responsible
for DNA code.
DNA replication follows base
pair rule.

RNA
Ribose sugar
-OH group
A,U, G and C
A-U and G-C
Single stranded.
RNA is made in the nucleus
and then moves into the
cytoplasm where it is involved
in protein assembly.
The protein coding information
in RNA comes directly from
DNA.
RNA sysnthesis also follows
the base pair rule but different
from DNA.

RNA structure-single strand

Concept Review
Genetic information is stored in what type
of chemicals?
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Sugars

Question
The difference between ribose and
deoxyribose is The no. of carbon atoms.
An oxygen atom
One is sugar and one is not
No difference.

Questions

What is a gene?
What are the functions performed by nucleic
acids?
What is a base pair rule?
Why is DNA replication necessary?
What role does RNA play in the cell?
Describe three differences in the structure of
DNA and RNA.