Nucleic Acids

#review

Defining the nucleic acid

Nucleic acids are large macromolecules composed of nucleotides

Properties

Stores heritable genetic material
Delivers information for protein synthesis
Helps form energy molecules (ATP-adenosine triphosphate, is a nucleic acid)

Important Polymers

Deoxyribonucleic acid (deoxy - one less oxygen) and ribonucleic acid
Ribonucleic Acid

Comparison of these poylmers

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Text Elements

DNA vs RNA
DNA
RNA
found only in nucleus
primarily found in the cytoplasm
double helical structure
single-stranded sturcture
stable Molecule
less stable than DNA
only H+ bonds in its second carbon
has a -O bonded to its second carbon
Deoxyribose and Ribose both form a cyclical pentyl-ring
with 6 carbons, similar to Fructose (hence term: pentose
sugar) but differ in carbon 2

Nucleotides

Essential monomer unit of DNA/RNA
Made of 3 Major parts - phosphate groups, pentose sugar and nitrogenous bases
DNA - AGCT $\to$ RNA - AGCU
- AG are both double ringed --- known as Purine
- CTU are single ring --- known as Pyrimidine
A-T, G-C $\to$ A-U, G-C?
- Think: Could RNA be combined with another RNA made from the DNA?

Phosphodiester bond

Phosphorous + two ester link nucleotides
Dehydration synthesis forms this bond, kicking out two phosphates out of three attached to a pentose sugar
- Pentose sugar OH joins phosphate group of another nucleotide