The Information of LIFE NUCLEIC ACIDS The Information of LIFE

Nucleic Acids: Store and transmit hereditary information Nucleic acid  DNA  Genes  Primary structure  Secondary structure  Protein conformation

. DNA Deoxyribose, Phosphate, N-base Codes for info that programs ALL cell activity Controls its OWN replication Copied from one generation to the next In the nucleus of eukaryotes Makes up genes which contain info for protein synthesis DNAmRNAtRNAProtein

Didn’t I, Didn’t I, Didn’t I say DNA?

. RNA Ribose, Phosphate, N-base Synthesizes proteins coded for by DNA On ribosomes Nucleus mRNA Cytoplasm Transcribed from DNA to mRNA Translated into protein

NUCLEIC ACID STRANDS Polymers of nucleotides linked together in condensation reactions Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids Nucleotides consist of a 5 C sugar covalently bonded to a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base

NUCLEIC ACID SUBUNITS

NUCLEOTIDES Monomers of Nucleic Acids Can transfer chemical energy from one molecule to another (ATP) Can serve as electron acceptors in enzyme controlled redox reactions (NAD)

NUCLEIC ACID POLYMERS A nucleic acid polymer or POLYNUCLEOTIDE results from joining nucleotides together by covalent bonds called PHOSPHODIESTER LINKAGES

GENES Each contains a unique linear sequence of nitrogenous bases which codes for a unique linear sequence of amino acids in a protein

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

INHERITANCE Based on a precise replication of the DNA double helix. These properties of DNA allow it to happen: DNA: 2 nucleotide chains wound in a double helix The sugars/phosphates are on the outside 2 Polynucleotide chains are H bonded at the bases, and van der Waals forces exist between stacked bases (up+down) A-T, G-C 2 strands are complementary, and can both serve as templates for new strands Most DNA is very long, containing 1000’s-Millions of base pairs

Utilizing DNA and Proteins in the study of evolution The more similar organisms’ DNA is, the more closely related they are