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Nucleic Acid
Nucleic Acid
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the
development and functioning of all known living organisms. The main role of DNA molecules is the
long-term storage of information and DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, since it contains
the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA
molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA
sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic
information.
Ribonucleic acid
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) functions in converting genetic information from genes into the
amino acid sequences of proteins. The three universal types of RNA include transfer RNA (tRNA),
messenger RNA (mRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Messenger RNA acts to carry genetic
sequence information between DNA and ribosomes, directing protein synthesis. Ribosomal RNA is
a major component of the ribosome, and catalyzes peptide bond formation. Transfer RNA serves as
the carrier molecule for amino acids to be used in protein synthesis, and is responsible for decoding
the mRNA. In addition, many other classes of RNA are now known.
RNA contains ribose pentose sugar. There are two types of nitrogen bases in RNA.
1) Purine bases such as Adenine (A) and
2) Guanine (G) and
3) Pyrimidine such as Cytosine (C)
4) and Uracil (U).
RNA consists of only one polynucleotide chain.
The four nucleotides have the abbreviations A, G, C and T, which are their initials. A is for for
adenine, G is for guanine, C stands for cytosine and T stands for thymine. There are two
types of nitrogenous bases called purine bases and pyrimidine bases. Purine bases are the
larger of the two types of nitrogenous bases found in DNA.
1) Adenine (A) and
2) guanine(G) are purine bases.
3) Cytosine (C) and
4) thymine (T) are pyrimidine bases
Types of Sugar
The human body needs to maintain a definite percentage of carbohydrates intake for a
healthy constitution. The World Health Organization recommends that about 55-75% of energy
requirements of an adult should be met from carbohydrate intake. A body needs to maintain this
level of intake, failing which, there can be complications like muscle cramps, fatigue, poor mental
functions and decreased resistance to diseases and ailments. There are two main types
of carbohydrates, simple and complex.
Simple Carbohydrates
These are made up of a single basic sugar. Simple carbohydrates provide the sweet taste in our
food. Fruit sugar, table sugar or corn sugar are all types of simple sugars. On consumption, these
sugars are directly absorbed in the blood as glucose requirements of the body. Glucose provides
instant energy as it reaches different parts of the body via blood. Simple sugars are occur in plenty
in natural foods like fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products. In addition to these, honey, molasses
brown sugar, corn syrup and maple syrup are rich sources of simple sugars.
Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates, as the name suggests, are a combination of different types of sugars. These
take a longer time for break down into their elementary form and hence, require more time for
digestion. The slow break down process, supplies us with constant energy for a longer duration.
Since these carbohydrates require more time for conversion, they are constantly used up by the
body. Therefore, sugar converted to fat is not stored in a large quantity unlike the simple
carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates provide instant energy because these are broken down in
lesser time as compared to complex carbohydrates. This increases the storage of broken down fats,
which if not burned or used up, may lead to health issues.
Complex carbohydrates are abundantly found in foods like cereals, bread, pasta, whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Carbohydrates can also be classified on the basis of their chemical composition. These are the most
easily available and the largest set of compounds on the Earth. Based on the complexity of their
structures, there are five major classes of carbohydrates. These are described in brief as follows.
Monosaccharides
These are the basic compounds with a cyclic structure consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in
the ratio 1:2:1. 'Mono' refers to single and saccharides means sugar. Glucose, fructose and galactose
are types of monosaccharides.
Disaccharides
These carbohydrates mean 'two sugars', which refer to the commonly available types such as
sucrose, maltose and lactose. When two monosaccharides bond together by a condensation
reaction, they release one molecule of water and a disaccharide is formed. This bond is called a
glycosidic bond.
Oligosaccharides
These are carbohydrates with more than two basic types of sugar molecules, usually between three
and ten basic units. Their main function in the body is the storage of glucose. Raffinose and
stachyose are the main types of oligosaccharides which consist of repetitive chains of fructose,
galactose and glucose.
Polysaccharides
These are also called monomers and are composed of thousands of molecules of the basic units of
glucose. Carbohydrates stored in the form of starch contain these type of compounds. Amylose,
which is a straight chain compound and amylopectin, which is a branched compound, are the most
common types of polysaccharides.
Nucleotides
Reference:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-carbohydrates.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference
http://www.blurtit.com/q378621.html
http://dna.microbiologyguide.com/
http://search.yahoo.com
http://www.news-medical.net/health/DNA-Biological-Functions.aspx
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Biochemistry
Raymond Basilonia
BSN I-B