Compare DNA and RNA in terms of structure, nucleotides and base pairs. Unit 4: Genetics B-4.1 Compare DNA and RNA in terms of structure, nucleotides and base pairs.

Key Concepts Nucleic Acids: Nucleotides: Complementary base pairs deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ribonucleic acid (RNA) Nucleotides: nitrogen base, sugar, phosphate group Complementary base pairs

It is essential for you to know… Nucleic acids are organic molecules that serve as the blueprint for proteins and , through the action of proteins, for all cellular activity. The two types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA DNA and RNA are both comprised of nucleotides that each have three parts. The basic structure of DNA and RNA are different (due to their sugars). DNA is double stranded whereas RNA is single stranded.

Objectives Compare DNA and RNA. Recognize the chemical names of the DNA and RNA molecules. Identify the three parts of a nucleotide. Interpret an illustration of a nucleotide. Interpret an illustration of a DNA and a RNA molecule.

History: Griffith & Transformation 1928, Frederick Griffith Did experiment to find out why some bacteria caused pneumonia. Discovered transformation.

A transforming material passed from dead S bacteria to live R bacteria, making them deadly. What exactly was transforming? He didn’t quite know.

History: Avery & DNA 1944, Oswald Avery Repeated Griffith’s work in order to determine which molecule in the bacteria caused it to be transformed. Discovered that DNA was the nucleic acid that stored and transmitted genetic material.

History: The Hershey-Chase Experiment 1952, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase Studied viruses and discovered bacteriophages.

The Structure of DNA DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid A long molecule made up of units called nucleotides. phosphate group deoxyribose (sugar) nitrogen-containing base

The Structure of DNA Nucleotides 5-carbon sugar A phosphate group deoxyribose A phosphate group Nitrogenous base Adenine (purines) Guanine (purines) Thymine (pyrimidines) Cytosine (pyrimidines) Purine Pyrimidine

The nitrogen containing bases are the only difference in the four nucleotides.

The Structure of DNA Has to be responsible for three things: Genes have to carry info from one generation to the next. Genes have to put that info to work by determining heritable traits. Genes have to be easily copied during cell replication.

The Structure of DNA The backbone of a DNA chain is formed by sugar and phosphate groups. The nitrogenous bases stick out sideways from the chains like the rungs on a ladder & can be joined together in any way.

The backbone is connected by covalent bonds. The bases are connected by hydrogen bonds. hydrogen bond covalent bond

Chargaff’s Rules Erwin Chargaff Discovered in any sample of DNA that: % of guanine and cytosine are almost equal % of adenine and thymine are almost equal G=C & A=T Called base pairing

Nucleotides always pair in the same way. The base-pairing rules show how nucleotides always pair up in DNA. A pairs with T C pairs with G Because a pyrimidine (single ring) pairs with a purine (double ring), the helix has a uniform width. C G T A

X-Ray Evidence Early 1950s Rosalind Franklin used X-Ray diffraction to get information about the structure of DNA. Suggested that DNA is twisted in some type of way.

The Double Helix Francis Crick and James Watson built 3-D models of DNA to help understand its structure. Discovered that DNA was a double helix.

The Structure of RNA RNA: Ribonucleic Acid A long molecule made up of units called nucleotides. phosphate group ribose (sugar) nitrogen-containing base

The Structure of RNA Nucleotides 5-carbon sugar A phosphate group ribose A phosphate group Nitrogenous base Adenine (purines) Guanine (purines) Uracil (pyrimidines) Cytosine (pyrimidines) Purine Pyrimidine

The Structure of RNA RNA: ribonucleic acid Sugar is called ribose. A disposable copy of DNA. Single stranded Has uracil instead of thymine like in DNA.

Types of RNA There are three main types of RNA: Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to rest of cell Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) makes up the major part of ribosomes Transfer RNA (tRNA) transfers amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis

Transcription Transcription is the process of copying DNA into RNA. So that translation can happen next Happens in the nucleus of eukaryotes and the cytoplasm of prokaryotes. Wherever the DNA is