Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids function as genetic material. Information storage Genes are recipes for building proteins. DNA  RNA  proteins Information transfer Nucleic acids carry the instructions for making the new cells needed for growth, repair, and reproduction.

Storage Transfer DNA RNA proteins

Nucleic Acids Structure: Examples: monomers = nucleotides DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) double helix RNA (ribonucleic acid) single helix

Nucleotides 3 parts nitrogen base (C-N ring) pentose sugar (5C) ribose in RNA deoxyribose in DNA phosphate (PO4) group DNA & RNA are negatively charged: Don’t cross membranes. Contain DNA within nucleus Need help transporting mRNA across nuclear envelope. Also use this property in gel electrophoresis.

Nucleotide Monomers Form Polymers DNA/RNA Backbone Sugars bond to phosphates Nitrogen bases hang off the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Pairing of DNA Nucleotides Nucleotides hydrogen bond between DNA strands to form a “double helix.” A = T (2 hydrogen bonds) G Ξ C (3 hydrogen bonds) The 2 strands are complementary. One becomes the template of the other & each can be a template to recreate the whole molecule.

Macromolecule Review

Carbohydrates Structure / monomer Function Examples monosaccharide energy raw materials energy storage structural compounds Examples glucose, starch, cellulose, glycogen

Lipids Structure / building block Function Examples glycerol, fatty acid, cholesterol, H-C chains Function energy storage membranes hormones Examples fat, phospholipids, steroids

Proteins Structure / monomer Function Examples amino acids levels of structure Function enzymes u defense transport u structure signals u receptors Examples digestive enzymes, membrane channels, insulin hormone, actin

Nucleic acids Structure / monomer Function Examples nucleotide information storage & transfer Examples DNA, RNA