Nucleic Acids

Summary

Nucleic acids, essential biomolecules in all living organisms, store genetic information and facilitate protein synthesis through their monomers, nucleotides. DNA features a double helix structure with anti-parallel strands held by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases. RNA, typically single-stranded and less stable, plays a regulatory role in protein synthesis. ATP, a modified nucleotide, serves as a cell's energy currency, releasing energy through the breakdown of its high-energy phosphate bonds.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules found in all living organisms, playing a crucial role in storing genetic information and protein synthesis.
• 🔑 Nucleic acids consist of monomers called nucleotides, which are composed of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
• 🍬 In DNA, the 5-carbon sugar is deoxyribose, and the nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
• 🔗 Nucleotides are linked by dehydration synthesis, forming a sugar-phosphate backbone that links the nucleotides together in DNA.
• 🌀 DNA is a double-stranded, right-handed helix with anti-parallel strands held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases (A-T and G-C).
• 🔄 The complementary base pairing in DNA is vital for the replication of the DNA molecule, ensuring accurate transmission of genetic information.
• 📜 RNA differs from DNA in having the sugar ribose and the base uracil (U) instead of thymine, and it is typically single-stranded and less stable.
• 📚 RNA is involved in regulating the expression of genetic information during protein synthesis, unlike DNA which stores the information.
• 🔋 ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is a modified nucleotide that serves as a temporary energy battery within cells, releasing energy when a phosphate group is removed.
• ⚡ The high-energy bonds between phosphate groups in ATP are crucial for cellular energy processing, with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) being rechargeable by cellular pathways.
• 🛠 Not all nucleic acids are involved in genetic information processing; some, like ATP, have specialized roles in cellular energy metabolism.

Q & A

What are nucleic acids and what role do they play in living organisms?

Nucleic acids are biomolecules found in all living organisms, responsible for storing genetic information and facilitating protein synthesis.

What are the monomers that make up nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are composed of monomers called nucleotides.

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

A nucleotide consists of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate functional group, and a nitrogenous base.

What is the 5-carbon sugar found in DNA and what are the four nitrogenous bases?

The 5-carbon sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, and the four nitrogenous bases are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.

How are nucleotides linked together in a nucleic acid molecule?

Nucleotides are linked together by dehydration synthesis or polymerization reactions, forming a sugar-phosphate backbone.

What is the structural arrangement of DNA strands?

DNA is composed of two strands arranged as a right-handed helix, which are anti-parallel, meaning they are oriented in opposite directions.

How are the two DNA strands held together?

The two DNA strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases: guanine with cytosine and adenine with thymine.

What is the difference between DNA and RNA in terms of sugar and nitrogenous bases?

RNA contains the sugar ribose instead of deoxyribose and the nitrogenous base uracil instead of thymine, and it is usually single-stranded and less stable than DNA.

How does RNA function in the protein synthesis process?

RNA functions in regulating the expression of genetic information in the protein synthesis process.

What is ATP and how does it relate to nucleic acids?

ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is a modified nucleotide that plays a central role in energy processing within cells, composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.

How does ATP serve as an energy source for the cell?

ATP serves as a temporary energy battery for the cell; when energy is needed, the terminal phosphate group is removed, releasing energy and forming adenosine diphosphate.