Download Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids
Nucleic Acid Basics
• Contain instructions to build proteins
• 2 types:
– DNA
– RNA
• Composed of smaller units called nucleotides
– Monomer: Nucleotide
– Polymer: Nucleic acid
Nucleotide
Structure
• Three parts
– Sugar molecule
– Phosphate group
– Nitrogen base
(A, T, C, or G)
• Nucleotides combine
to make nucleic
acids
• Instructions for cell
to make proteins
Monomers link to make polymers!
Nucleic Acids
Monomer = Nucleotide
Polymer = Nucleic acid
How many nucleotides are
pictured?
Six
What is this chain of
nucleotides called?
Nucleic acid
DNA
• Double Helix: 2 chains of
nucleotides
• Four DNA bases: Adenine,
thymine, cytosine, guanine
– A pairs with T
– C pairs with G
T
C
C
G
(can you predict the missing
bases?)
• Gene: section of DNA that
codes for a protein
A
RNA
• Single chain of
nucleotides
• RNA bases:
Adenine, uracil,
cytosine, guanine
• Function: Help
cells with the
creation of
proteins
U
C
U
G
A
Review
1) Name the monomer of nucleic acids.
2) How are the four nitrogen bases of DNA
abbreviated?
3) What does the phosphate molecule of a
nucleotide bond with?
4) If the DNA nitrogen bases were TACCGGAT, how
would the attached DNA strand read?
5) How are DNA and RNA different?