The structure and function

of DNA and RNA

Biology
K. Beris

Functions of Nucleic Acids

Carry genetic information

These are the instructions for the cell

DNA is the master copy of the cells

information

It is passed on to new cells during cell division

(mitosis and meiosis)

RNA is a copy of DNA that is used in

protein synthesis

The structure of DNA

DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid

It was discovered by James Watson

and Francis Crick in 1953
Nucleotides are the building blocks
of DNA

It is made up of 3 parts
1.
2.
3.

Deoxyribose sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogen base

The nitrogen bases

There are 4 different nitrogen

bases
They are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Adenine
Thymine
Guanine
Cytosine