What are the two types of nucleic acids?
What are the components of a nucleotide?
What are the components of DNA and RNA?
What are the nitrogenous bases in DNA?
How does tRNA work?
What is the intermediary of DNA?
How many genes are in a chromosome?
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What is the basic structure and function of nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), carry genetic information which is read in cells to make the RNA and proteins by which living things function. The well-known structure of the DNA double helix allows this information to be copied and passed on to the next generation.
What are the 3 parts of the nucleic acid structure?
The building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which are made up of three parts: a deoxyribose (5-carbon sugar), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (Figure 9.3).
What is structure of nucleotide?
A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA). A nucleotide consists of a sugar molecule (either ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA) attached to a phosphate group and a nitrogen-containing base. The bases used in DNA are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T).
What are the structure units of nucleic acid?
The basic repeating unit of nucleic acids are known as nucleotides. A nucleotide consists of three distinct chemical groups, a 5-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), a nitrogen-rich base - (cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), thymine (T) in DNA or uracil (U) instead of T (in RNA), and phosphate.
What is a nucleic acid made of?
A nucleic acid is a long molecule made up of smaller molecules called nucleotides. Nucleic acids were discovered in 1868, when twenty-four-year-old Swiss physician Friedrich Miescher isolated a new compound from the nuclei of white blood cells.
What are the 4 functions of nucleotides?
A nucleotide is an organic molecule that is the building block of DNA and RNA. They also have functions related to cell signaling, metabolism, and enzyme reactions. A nucleotide is made up of three parts: a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
How do you draw the structure of a nucleotide?
0:226:56DNA/RNA Structure - How to Draw Nucleic Acids - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHas just the hydrogen here. And the five prime phosphate here is just just a phosphate and over hereMoreHas just the hydrogen here. And the five prime phosphate here is just just a phosphate and over here we have the base thymine.
What is nucleic acid function?
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses. A major function of nucleic acids involves the storage and expression of genomic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, encodes the information cells need to make proteins.
How are nucleotides arranged?
Nucleotides are joined together by covalent bonds between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the third carbon atom of the pentose sugar in the next nucleotide. This produces an alternating backbone of sugar - phosphate - sugar - phosphate all along the polynucleotide chain.
What is the true structure of DNA?
DNA is made of two linked strands that wind around each other to resemble a twisted ladder — a shape known as a double helix. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups. Attached to each sugar is one of four bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) or thymine (T).
What are the three main units of nucleic acid?
Nucleic acids are giant biomolecules made of monomers called nucleotides. Nucleotides have three components: pentose sugar (5-carbon sugar), phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
What are nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that serve as the primary information-carrying molecules in cells. They play an especially...
What is the basic structure of a nucleic acid?
Nucleic acids are long chainlike molecules composed of a series of nearly identical building blocks called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of...
What nitrogen-containing bases occur in nucleic acids?
Each nucleic acid contains four of five possible nitrogen-containing bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). A...
When were nucleic acids discovered?
Nucleic acids were discovered in 1869 by Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher.
How are nucleic acids formed?
Nucleic acids are formed when nucleotides come together through phosphodiester linkages between the 5' and 3' carbon atoms. A nucleic acid sequence is the order of nucleotides within a DNA (GACT) or RNA (GACU) molecule that is determined by a series of letters. Sequences are presented from the 5' to 3' end and determine the covalent structure ...
What is the quaternary structure of nucleic acids?
Although some of the concepts are not exactly the same, the quaternary structure refers to a higher-level of organization of nucleic acids. Moreover, it refers to interactions of the nucleic acids with other molecules. The most commonly seen form of higher-level organization of nucleic acids is seen in the form of chromatin which leads to its interactions with the small proteins histones. Also, the quaternary structure refers to the interactions between separate RNA units in the ribosome or spliceosome.
What is the function of pseudoknots?
This causes formation of pseudoknots with two stems and two loops. Pseudoknots are functional elements in RNA structure having diverse function and found in most classes of RNA. Secondary structure of RNA can be predicted by experimental data on the secondary structure elements, helices, loops, and bulges.
What is the bond between a phosphate and a sugar?
For both the purine and pyrimidine bases, the phosphate group forms a bond with the deoxyribose sugar through an ester bond between one of its negatively charged oxygen groups and the 5' -OH of the sugar. The polarity in DNA and RNA is derived from the oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the backbone.
What is the sugar in DNA?
5-carbon sugar which is called deoxyribose (found in DNA) and ribose (found in RNA). One or more phosphate groups. The nitrogen bases adenine and guanine are purine in structure and form a glycosidic bond between their 9 nitrogen and the 1' -OH group of the deoxyribose.
What is the most common element of RNA secondary structure?
Bulges and internal loops are formed by separation of the double helical tract on either one strand (bulge) or on both strands (internal loops) by unpaired nucleotides. Stem-loop or hairpin loop is the most common element of RNA secondary structure.
What is the most common element in RNA?
Stem-loop or hairpin loop is the most common element of RNA secondary structure. Stem-loop is formed when the RNA chains fold back on themselves to form a double helical tract called the 'stem', the unpaired nucleotides forms single stranded region called the 'loop'.
What is a nucleic acid?
Ans. A nucleic acid is a long-chain polymer made of monomeric units called nucleotides. A nucleotide, in turn, consists of three primary components. These are a phosphate group, a sugar molecule bonded to the phosphate group and a cyclic nitrogenous base.
What are the elements in nucleic acids?
Nucleic Acids Structure. These vital macromolecules are typically made of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus and most importantly, carbon. They are long-chain polymers that consist of monomeric units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide comprises a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar and a specific nitrogen base. Image will be uploaded soon.
What are the macromolecules that store, encode, and transmit genetic information from one generation to another?
Ans. Nucleic acids can be defined as large macromolecules that store, encode and transmit genetic information from one generation to another. These vital macromolecules are typically made of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus and most importantly, carbon. They are long-chain polymers that consist of monomeric units called nucleotides.
What is the source of all genetic information in living organisms?
These are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the primary genetic material that is the source of all genetic information in living organisms. From the smallest unicellular bacteria to multicellular animals such as elephants and human beings, each of these contains DNA in their cells.
What is the DNA code?
The loss of nucleic acids, or DNA in cells, can be the cause for mutation and a variety of other diseases. DNA is a vital part of the fingerprinting method employed by forensic experts.
What are the bases found in DNA?
β-D-2-deoxyribose is the sugar molecule present in DNA molecules. The cyclic nitrogen bases found in DNA are adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine.
What is the polymer of a nucleotide?
Image will be uploaded soon. In a nucleotide, if the sugar happens to be a ribose, then the polymer is called ribonucleic acid or RNA. Likewise, if the sugar is deoxyribose, it is called deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?
Nucleic acids are long chainlike molecules composed of a series of nearly identical building blocks called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogen-containing aromatic base attached to a pentose (five-carbon) sugar, which is in turn attached to a phosphate group.
What are the two classes of nucleic acids?
They play an especially important role in directing protein synthesis. The two main classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) and ribonucleic acid ( RNA ).
How are nucleotides synthesized?
The ribose phosphate portion of both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides is synthesized from glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway. The six-atom pyrimidine ring is synthesized first and subsequently attached to the ribose phosphate. The two rings in purines are synthesized while attached to the ribose phosphate during the assembly of adenine or guanine nucleosides. In both cases the end product is a nucleotide carrying a phosphate attached to the 5′ carbon on the sugar. Finally, a specialized enzyme called a kinase adds two phosphate groups using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the phosphate donor to form ribonucleoside triphosphate, the immediate precursor of RNA. For DNA, the 2′-hydroxyl group is removed from the ribonucleoside diphosphate to give deoxyribonucleoside diphosphate. An additional phosphate group from ATP is then added by another kinase to form a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate, the immediate precursor of DNA.
What is the chemical compound that is capable of being broken down to yield phosphoric acid, sugars, and
Nucleic acid, naturally occurring chemical compound that is capable of being broken down to yield phosphoric acid, sugars, and a mixture of organic bases (purines and pyrimidines). Nucleic acids are the main information-carrying molecules of the cell, and, by directing the process of protein synthesis, they determine the inherited characteristics ...
What are the bases of nucleotides?
Each nucleic acid contains four of five possible nitrogen-containing base s: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). A and G are categorized as purines, and C, T, and ...
What is the name of the bond between sugar and a base?
These nucleoside linkages are called phosphodiester bonds and are the same in RNA and DNA.
Which enzyme adds adenosine triphosphate to RNA?
Finally, a specialized enzyme called a kinase adds two phosphate groups using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the phosphate donor to form ribonucleoside triphosphate, the immediate precursor of RNA. For DNA, the 2′-hydroxyl group is removed from the ribonucleoside diphosphate to give deoxyribonucleoside diphosphate.
What is the backbone of a nucleic acid?
When nucleotides bond to each other to form DNA or RNA, the phosphate of one of the nucleotides attaches to the 3-carbon of the sugar of the other nucleotide, forming what is called the sugar-phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid.
Where are nucleic acids found?
These large molecules are called nucleic acids because they were first identified inside the nucleus of cells, however, they are also found in mitochondria and chloroplasts as well as bacteria and viruses.
What are the bases of DNA?
DNA is composed of two sugar-phosphate backbones and nucleotide bases. There are four different bases: guanine, cytosine, thymine and adenine. DNA contains sections called genes, which encode the body's genetic information.
What is the name of the material that is renamed nucleic acid?
He found it behaved as an acid, so the material was renamed nucleic acid. Nucleic acid refers to both DNA and RNA. In 1938, the first x-ray diffraction pattern of DNA was published by Astbury and Bell. In 1953, Watson and Crick described the structure of DNA.
What are the two types of polymers in DNA?
Both DNA and RNA are polymers made up of monomers called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: 1 a nitrogenous base 2 a five-carbon sugar (pentose sugar) 3 a phosphate group (PO 43-)
What are the two parts of DNA and RNA?
Both DNA and RNA are polymers made up of monomers called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: a nitrogenous base . a five-carbon sugar (pentose sugar) a phosphate group (PO 43-) The bases and the sugar are different for DNA and RNA, but all nucleotides link together using the same mechanism.
What is the process of copying a cell's genetic code?
When a cell divides, a copy of this genetic code is passed to the new cell. The copying of the genetic code is called replication . RNA is a single-stranded molecule that can complement or "match up" to DNA.
What does nucleic acid structure mean?
“Nucleic acid structure” can mean something as simple as the sequence of nucleotides in a piece of DNA. Or, it could mean something as complex as the way that DNA molecule folds and how it interacts with other molecules.
What is the primary structure of nucleic acids?
The primary structure of the nucleic acid refers to the sequence of its nucleotide bases, and the way these are covalently bonded to each other. The sequence of “letters” in a strand of DNA or RNA, then, is part of its primary structure, as is the helical or double-helical shape.
What are the two types of nucleic acids?
There are two types of nucleic acid: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Both play a central role in every function of every living organism. Nucleic acids have similar basic structures with important differences. They are composed of monomer nucleotides connected like links in a chain to form nucleic acid polymers. Nucleotides consist of a nucleoside (the combination of a pentose monosaccharide molecule and a nitrogenous base) and a phosphate group. The difference between RNA and DNA lies in a single nitrogenous base and a single atom of oxygen within a sugar molecule.
What are the two strands of DNA?
These are naturally occurring compounds which give each nucleotide its name, and are divided into two groups – pyrimidines and purines. While the pyrimidines cytosine, thymine and uracil (see RNA) are small, single-ringed constructions, adenine, and guanine are larger and double-ringed. This difference in shape and size and a subsequent difference in electrical charge is important, as it allows only specific complementary pairings between different group types; in DNA, adenine will only bond with thymine and cytosine will only bond with guanine. This creates nitrogenous base spindles of the same length and a mirror image on the opposite strand.
What is secondary structure?
Secondary structure refers to how nucleotide bases hydrogen bond with each other, and what shape this creates out of their two strands.#N#The hydrogen bonds that form between complementary bases of two nucleic acid strands are quite different from the covalent bond that forms between sister monomers in a nucleic acid strand.
What are the two components of a nucleotide?
Nucleotides – the building blocks of nucleic acids, and the “letters” of the genetic “code” – are made of two components: A nitrogenous base such as adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine or uracil.
What is the structure that occurs when a single RNA molecule folds back and hydrogen bonds with itself?
Other structures are also possible, such as a “stem-loop” – which occurs when a single RNA molecule folds back and hydrogen bonds with itself – or a four-armed structure that can occur when four different strands of nucleic acid hydrogen bond with different parts of each other.
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are macromolecules that are found in every living cell, either alone or in conjunction with other substances. End-to-end polymerisation of a vast number of units called nucleotides linked by phosphodiester linkages forms these lengthy strands. The word “nucleic acid” is used to describe specific big molecules found in cells.
Structure of Nucleic Acid
The nucleotide is a tiny unitary structure made up of phosphodiester links that connect nucleic acids. Each nucleotide comprises
Bonds between Different Units of Nucleotides
The following types of linkage or bond can be found in a nucleotide unit’s components:
Sample Questions
Nucleic acids are macromolecules that can be found alone or in combination with other chemicals in every live cell. These long strands are formed by the end-to-end polymerization of a large number of nucleotide units coupled by phosphodiester bonds. The term “nucleic acid” refers to a class of large molecules found in cells.
Overview
Nucleic acid structure refers to the structure of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. Chemically speaking, DNA and RNA are very similar. Nucleic acid structure is often divided into four different levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
Primary structure
Primary structure consists of a linear sequence of nucleotides that are linked together by phosphodiester bond. It is this linear sequence of nucleotides that make up the primary structure of DNA or RNA. Nucleotides consist of 3 components:
1. Nitrogenous base
Secondary structure
Secondary structure is the set of interactions between bases, i.e., which parts of strands are bound to each other. In DNA double helix, the two strands of DNA are held together by hydrogen bonds. The nucleotides on one strand base pairs with the nucleotide on the other strand. The secondary structure is responsible for the shape that the nucleic acid assumes. The bases in the DNA are classifi…
Tertiary structure
Tertiary structure refers to the locations of the atoms in three-dimensional space, taking into consideration geometrical and steric constraints. It is a higher order than the secondary structure, in which large-scale folding in a linear polymer occurs and the entire chain is folded into a specific 3-dimensional shape. There are 4 areas in which the structural forms of DNA can differ.
Quaternary structure
The quaternary structure of nucleic acids is similar to that of protein quaternary structure. Although some of the concepts are not exactly the same, the quaternary structure refers to a higher-level of organization of nucleic acids. Moreover, it refers to interactions of the nucleic acids with other molecules. The most commonly seen form of higher-level organization of nucleic acids is seen in the form of chromatin which leads to its interactions with the small proteins histones. …
See also
• Biomolecular structure
• Crosslinking of DNA
• DNA nanotechnology
• DNA supercoil
• Gene structure
Nucleic Acids Structure
- These vital macromolecules are typically made of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, and most importantly, carbon. They are long-chain polymers that consist of monomeric units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide comprises a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a specific nitrogen base. (Image will be uploaded soon) In a nucleotide, if the sug...
Pop Quiz 1
- Which of these is a sugar group present in DNA?
- Ribose
- Thymine
- Deoxyribose
Nucleic Acids Types
- As we mentioned earlier, there are two major types of nucleic acids commonly found in living organisms. These are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the primary genetic material that is the source of all genetic information in living organisms. From the smallest unicellular bacteria to multicellular animals such as elephants and human beings, each …
DNA Nucleic Acid
- In combination with histone proteins, DNA forms a chemical complexcalled chromatin in the cells of eukaryotic organisms.
- This, however, does not occur in prokaryotes.
- Each chromosome of a living organism is a repository of thousands of hundreds of genes, dictating the organism’s identity, behavior, habit, and other functions.
- In combination with histone proteins, DNA forms a chemical complexcalled chromatin in the cells of eukaryotic organisms.
- This, however, does not occur in prokaryotes.
- Each chromosome of a living organism is a repository of thousands of hundreds of genes, dictating the organism’s identity, behavior, habit, and other functions.
- Most genes contain the information that can code for protein products in the body. Some of these can also code for RNA products.
Structure of DNA
- DNA consists of a double helix backbone made of two chains of polynucleotides.
- This double helix consists of two DNA strands, running parallel to each other.
- There exist hydrogen bonds between the helices, while the bases are contained in bundles within the helix.
- DNA is negatively charged, owing to the presence of phosphate groups.
Structure of RNA
- RNA, in eukaryotic cells, mostly participates in the synthesis of proteins and translation and transcription of genetic code. During transcription and protein synthesis, DNA molecules use an intermediate messenger RNA, also called mRNA to communicate with the entire cellular machinery, without leaving its place of origin. There are several other types of RNA that participa…
Nucleic Acids Function
- The DNA never leaves its place of origin but uses the RNA to act as an intermediate to communicate with the rest of the cell.
- This intermediate mRNA enters the nucleus of the cell during the synthesis of proteins, and bonds with one of the DNA strands.
- The sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA is oppositeNucleic acids, mainly DNA and RNA, play …
- The DNA never leaves its place of origin but uses the RNA to act as an intermediate to communicate with the rest of the cell.
- This intermediate mRNA enters the nucleus of the cell during the synthesis of proteins, and bonds with one of the DNA strands.
- The sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA is oppositeNucleic acids, mainly DNA and RNA, play an essential role in the bodies of living organisms. The functions performed by these are as follows:
- Nucleic acids help synthesize proteins in the body.
Molecular Biology
- Molecular biology is the study of biological and chemical changes in and between cells. The field of molecular biology is very much focused on the nucleic acids and other macro and micro molecules that affect life processes. The living things on earth are also made up of complex chemicals just how the non-living things are. The molecular biologist works on figuring out how …
Biochemistry
- Biochemistry is the study of chemicals in organisms. It focuses more on the molecules and nucleic acid rather than the proteins. Additionally, biochemistry also involves the study of chemicals when present in large quantities.
Genetics
- Genetics is all about the study of heredity, the genes’ structure, and how it changes in the species. To understand the hereditary traits, it has to be studied on a large scale, almost on the population level, thus making it a larger scale field than molecular biology.