Nucleic Acids o Nitrogenous base are either double-

ringed purines that consists of a nine-

- Are organic compounds that function for the
membered molecule with four nitrogen
storage of genetic information, which is atoms such as: Adenine and Guanine or
transmitted from one generation to the next in single-ringed pyramidines that has just
all living organisms. six members and two nitrogen atoms
- It is the physical carrier of inheritance that is such as Cytosine, Uracil, and Thymine.
passed from parents to offspring.
- Also function in protein synthesis as they carry  The structure of DNA as a double-stranded
code needed in the formation of specific molecule was first described by James
proteins. Watson and Francis Crick in 1953.
- The two strands that make up a
2 types of Nucleotides DNA molecule winds around each
 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) other forming a double spiral
- Is the molecule that carries genetic molecule that resembles a twisted
information for the development and ladder.
functioning of an organism. - The backbone of the helix consists
- In a shape form called Double Helix. of alternating sugar and
 Ribonucleic acid (RNA) phosphates, while the steps of the
- Is a nucleic acid present in all living cells ladders are made up of
that has structural similar to DNA. A type nitrogenous base pairs.
of nucleic acid made by cells that  Chargaff's rule - different nitrogenous
contains information that has been bases form specific pairs, such as that A
copied from DNA. pairs with T, while C pairs with G. (A is
- Carriers genetic information that is adenine, T is thymine, C is cytosine, and G
translated by ribosomes into various is guanine.)
proteins necessary for cellular process.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DNA & RNA
Both types of Nucleic Acid are made up of
Nucleotide. SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
DNA and RNA
Nucleotide DNA RNA
- Is the building block of DNA and RNA. It is Deoxyribose Ribose
Sugar
particularly essential for replication of DNA and (C5H10O9) (C5H10O5)
transcription of RNA. Strand Double Strand Single-Strand
- It is made up of: Adenine Adenine
 Five-carbon Sugar or Pentose sugar - a 5- Nitrogenous Thymine Uracil
carbon monosaccharide with the formula bases Cytosine Cytosine
(CH2O)5. Guanine Guanine
o Sugar molecule in DNA is called Mainly in Nucleus
Found in
but also found in
Deoxyribose while in RNA is Ribose. Location cytoplasm and
mitochondria and
 Phosphate group - they form phosphodiester nucleus
chloroplast
bonds with the pentose sugars to create the
sides of the DNA “ladder”. 
 Nitrogenous Base - an organic molecule that
contains nitrogen.