Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are complex organic compounds that are essential for all forms of life. They are made up of smaller units called nucleotides, which consist of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Types of Nucleic Acids

There are two main types of nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

• DNA: DNA is the genetic material that carries the instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. It is a double-stranded molecule that forms the famous double helix structure.
• RNA: RNA is involved in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It is usually single-stranded and comes in several forms, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

Functions of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids play crucial roles in the storage and expression of genetic information, as well as in the synthesis of proteins. DNA stores the genetic information, while RNA helps in the transfer of genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes where proteins are synthesized.

Structure of Nucleic Acids

The structure of nucleic acids is based on the sequence of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The four nitrogenous bases found in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G), while in RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil (U).

Study Guide for Nucleic Acids

1. What are nucleic acids made up of?
2. What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
3. What are the functions of nucleic acids?
4. Describe the structure of nucleic acids.
5. What are the nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA?