Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Here are two types of nucleic acids; DNA and RNA. DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid, and RNA is ribonucleic acid. DNA stores genetic information in the cell. It then replicates and transmits this info when a cell reproduces, DNA codes for the order in which amino acids are to be joined to form a protein. RNA is an intermediary that conveys DNA’s instructions regarding the amino acid sequence in a protein.

Dna

-There are four different types of base in DNA: A=adenine, T=thymine, G=guanine, and C= cytosine

- The base can have two rings (adenine or guanine) or one ring (thymine or cytosine). These structures are called bases because their presence raises the pH of a solution.

-DNA is double stranded, with the two strands twisted about each other in the form of a double helix.

-The two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between the base,

-T always pairs with A, and G with C.

-the uprights of the ladder are made entirely of phosphate and sugar molecules, and the rungs are made only of complementary paired bases.

Dna structure compared to Rna structure

Dna                             Rna

Sugar	Deoxyribose	Ribose
Bases	Adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine	Adenine, guanine, uracil, cytosine
strands	Double stranded with base pairings	Single stranded
helix	yes	no

Rna

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

-An energy carrier in cells

- high-energy molecule because the last two phosphate bonds are unstable and easily broken.

-composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups

-after energy is release by ATP breakdown it is used by the cell to synthesize macromolecules (carbohydrates and proteins)

-in muscle cells it’s used for muscle contraction, in nerve cells it’s used for conduction of nerve in pulses.

-ATP undergoes hydrolysis and breakdown to produce ADP +      P

By: Katie, Monica, Anne, Anna