1. The Information of LIFE
NUCLEIC ACIDS
The Information of LIFE

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

3. . 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

4. Didn’t I, Didn’t I, Didn’t I say DNA?

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

6. 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

7. NUCLEIC ACID SUBUNITS

8. 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)

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

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

11. PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

12. 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

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