1. Information molecules
Nucleic acids:
Information molecules

2. Nucleic Acids Examples DNA RNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid RiboNucleic Acid

3. Nucleic Acids Function: genetic material stores information
genes
blueprint for building proteins
DNA  RNA  proteins
transfers information
blueprint for new cells
blueprint for next generation
DNA
proteins

4. Nucleic acids 5 different nucleotides Building block = nucleotides
nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide
5 different nucleotides
different nitrogen bases
A, T, C, G, U
Nitrogen bases I’m the A,T,C,G or U part!
phosphate
sugar
N base

5. Nucleotide chains Nucleic acids nucleotides chained into a polymer DNA
phosphate
sugar
N base
Nucleotide chains
Nucleic acids
nucleotides chained into a polymer
DNA
double-sided
double helix
A, C, G, T
RNA
single-sided
A, C, G, U
phosphate
sugar
N base
strong bonds
phosphate
sugar
N base
phosphate
sugar
N base
RNA

6. DNA Double strand twists into a double helix
weak bonds between nitrogen bases join the 2 strands
A pairs with T
A :: T
C pairs with G
C :: G
the two strands can separate when our cells need to make copies of it
weak bonds
It’s a helix or B sheet within a single region. Can have both in one protein but a specific region is one or another

7. Copying DNA Replication copy DNA
2 strands of DNA helix are complementary
they are matching
have one, can build other
have one, can rebuild the whole
when cells divide, they must duplicate DNA exactly for the new “daughter” cells
Why is this a good system?

8. Newly copied strands of DNA
DNA replication
Copying DNA
pairing of the bases allows each strand to serve as a pattern for a new strand
A – T
G - C
The greatest understatement in biology!
Newly copied strands of DNA

9. Watson and Crick … and others…
1953 | 1962
Watson and Crick … and others…

10. HELIXHELIX

11. HELIXHELIX
Let’s build some
DNA!

12. Genes (DNA) are needed to run bodies every day…C G
Genes (DNA) are needed to run bodies every day…
to make you and me… to make new cells…
to make babies!