NUCLIEC

ACID
CECIL O. NOCETE

AINA SAMANIEGO

JANNEN A. CANETE

JR ELIASES BRIMBUE

WHAT IS NUCLEIC ACID?

 Nucleic Acid, naturally occurring chemical compound that is capable of being broken down to yield
phosphoric acid, sugars and a mixture of organic basis ( purine and pyrimidines ).

Nucleic Acid are the main information – carrying molecules of the cell, and by directing the process of
protein synthesis, they determine and inherited characteristics of every living thing.

USES OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

 Nucleic acids are large molecules that carry tones of small detail and all the genetic information.
Nucleic acids are found in every living things ; plants , animals, bacteria, viruses and fungi.
 Assembly instructions for protein synthesis.
 Energy molecules (adenosine triphosphate ATP)

FUNCTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

RNA can serve as messenger to build proteins using information coded by DNA, migrating from the nucleus
where DNA “lives” to other parts of the cell to carry this out. This is fittingly, messenger RNA. A different
kind of RNA transfer RNA ,helps in the assembly process of proteins from amino acids, and ribosomal
makes up most of the organelles called ribosome, which also participate in protein synthesis. Many single
_stranded RNA molecules from 3 dimensional structure that includes weak hydrogen bonds between
nucleotides. As with proteins, the 3 dimensional structure of an RNA molecule specifies a unique function in
cells, including degradation of enzyms

2 Main Classes of Nucleic Acids are:

DIOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID ( DNA )

DNA is the master of blue print for life and constitute genetic materials in all free-living organisms and
most viruses.

RIBONUCLEIC ACID (RNA)

RNA is the genetic material of certain viruses, but it also found in all living cells, where it plays an
important role in certain processes such as the making of protein
 LIPIDS
LIPIDS

A lipid is chemically defined as a substance that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Lipids are an
important component of living cells. Together with carbohydrates and proteins, lipids are the main constituents of plant and animal
cells. Lipids are also the building blocks of many hormones and are an important constituent of all cellular membranes. Lipids
includes fats ,oils , waxes , phospholipids and steroids

Fats and Oils

A fat molecule consist of two main components – Glycerol and Fatty Acids.
 Glycerol is an organic compound (alcohol) with 3 carbons ,
5hydrogens, and 3 hydroxyl ( OH) groups. Fatty Acids have a
long chain of hydrocarbons to which a carboxyl group is
attached , hence the name “FATTY ACIDS”. The number of
carbons and fatty acid may range from 4-3; most common are
those containing 12-18 carbons in a fat molecules, the fatty acid

are attached to each of the 3 carbons of the glycerol

molecules with an ester bond through an oxygen atom.

A structure of glycerol, a fatty acid, and a

triacylglycerol.

WAXES
Waxes covers the feathers of some aquatic birds and the leaf surfaces of some plants. Because of the hydrophobic nature of waxes,
they prevent water from sticking on the surface

PHOSPHOLIPIDS

Phospholipids are major constituent of the plasma membrane the outermost layer of animal cell .Like fats , they are composed of fatty
acids chains attached to a glycerol or sphingosine backbone. Instead of 3 fatty acids attached as in triglycerides, however, there are 2
fatty acids forming diacylglycerol and the 3rd carbon of the glycerol backbone is occupied by a modified phosphate group.

STEROIDS

Unlike the phospholipids and fats discussed earlier, steroids

have a fused ring structure. Although they do not resemble
the other lipids, they are grouped with them because they are
also hydrophobic and insoluble in water . All steroids have 4
link carbon rings and several of them , like cholesterol have a
short tale. Many steroids also have the – OH functional
group, which puts them in the alcohol classification( sterols)

Fatty Acids are saturated with hydrogen ;in other words, the
number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is
maximized. Stearic Acid is an example of saturated fatty acid

When the hydrocarbon chain contains a double bond , the fatty acid is said to be unsaturated .Oleic acid is an example of unsaturated
fatty acids.

FUNCTION OF LIPIDS

Lipids play several role in organisms. Lipids make up protective barriers. They comprise cell membrane and some of the structure of
the cell wall and plants. Lipids provide energy storage to plants and animals. Lipids functions can be affected by changes to their polar
head groups as well as by their side chains.

Phospholipids from the foundation of lipids bi layers with their amphipathic nature, that make up cell membrane. Lipids also
participate in cell division. Dividing cells regulate lipids content depending on the cell cycle. Lipids provide protective barriers for
specialized tissues such as nerves. Lipids provide the greatest amount of energy from consumption, having more than twice the
amount of energy as protein and carbohydrates. The body breaks down fats in digestion, some from immediate energy needs and
others for storage

USES OF LIPIDS

Lipids give plants the necessary energy for their metabolic processes and signals between cell. In animals lipids also serve as
insulation from the environment and as protection for vital organs.
 OTHERINFORMATION

Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids. Lipids are easily

stored in the body. They serve as a source of fuel and are an important constituent of the structure of cells.

Lipids include fatty acids, neutral fats, waxes and steroids (like cortisone). Compound lipids (lipids complexed with another type of
chemical compound) comprise the lipoproteins,
glycolipids and phospholipids.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a natural substance made by the body. Most

of the cholesterol in our bloodstream (75%) is produced by the liver, and the remaining 25% comes from the foods we eat. We all
know that elevated blood cholesterol levels are not good for your health, but the right levels of cholesterol actually play a vital role in
maintaining cell membranes and synthesizing hormones. The Centers for Disease Control reports that one-third of adults have high
cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol Symptoms

Usually, high cholesterol does not produce any symptoms and you may not know your blood cholesterol is too high. Too much
cholesterol can build up in your arteries, causing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This restricts blood flow through the
arteries and can lead to serious medical problems such as heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol Testing

The American Heart Association recommends all adults over age 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six
years. Cholesterol screening is done with a blood test that measures three things.

What Appears on Cholesterol Screenings

 High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)

 Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol)
 Triglycerides
LDL Cholesterol: 'Bad' Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, is the type that tends to deposit on the walls of the
arteries. White blood cells combine with the LDL cholesterol, forming artery-narrowing plaque, which restricts blood flow. The
optimal level of LDL cholesterol for most people is 100 mg/dL or lower. If you have heart disease, you may need to strive for LDL
levels of 70 mg/dL or lower.

HDL Cholesterol: 'Good' Cholesterol

Not all cholesterol is bad. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered "good" cholesterol because it actually works to
keep the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol from building up in your arteries. The higher the HDL, the better. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL and
higher can help reduce your risk for heart disease. Conversely, HDL levels of 40 mg/dL and lower are considered a high risk factor for
developing heart disease.

REFERRENCES :

NUCLEIC ACID

https://www.britannica.com

https://www.genome.gov.com

https://www.karger.com

https://www.thoughtCo.com
LIPIDS

https://www.britannica.com

https://www.courses.lumenglearning.com

https://www.sciencing.com

https://www.med.libretexts.org