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 Chemistry Class XII
Types of nucleic acid
Nucleic acid are of two types
(i) RNA ribose nucleic acid
(ii) DNA deoxyribose nuclec acid
Ribose nucleic acid
It consist of ribose sugar +nitrogenous base + phosphate group
It is consist of single strand and thymine is not present in this
In this complementary pair made by bases Adenine with Uracil and Guanine with
cytosine
Deoxyribose nucleic acid
It consist of deoxyribose sugar +nitrogenous base + phosphate group
It is consist of double strand and thymine is present in this while uracil is absent
In this complementary pair made by bases Adenine with thymine and Guanine
with cytosine
Structure of DNA
It has double helix structure. Like twisted rope shown in figure. This structure was
made by Watson and crick in 1953 and got Nobel Prize for this model
Structure of DNA can be studied in two levels
Symbols

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 Chemistry Class XII
(i) Primary structure
The study of sequence in which 4 nitrogenous base are arranged in a
sugar – phosphate backbone of nucleotide chain it is called primary
structure

(ii) Secondary structure

It helps us to know the arrangement of polynucleotide chains according
to this structure DNA consist of polynucleotide chains which run in
opposite direction giving rise to double helix structure

General facts regarding the structure

(i) Nucleotide chains are held together by hydrogen bonding between
nitrogenous bases
(ii) Hydrogen bonding is very specific. It takes place only between
nitrogenous base pairs; guanine and cytosine, adenine and thymine
(iii) Distance between two nitrogenous base pair of same strand is 0.34 nm
(iv) Distance covered by double helix is 3.4 nm
(v) Diameter of double helix is 2 nm
(vi) Each double helix has 10 nitrogen base pair
(vii) On heating these strands they separate from each other called melting
of DNA. While on immediate cooling they again hybridize this
phenomena is called annealing of DNA

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 Chemistry Class XII
Structure of RNA
Unlike DNA RNA is a 𝛼 − ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑥 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 . This can be confirmed by the fact that
number of guanine is not equal to number of cytosine. Similarly number of
Adenine is not equal to number of uracil. As they are so in DNA because in RNA
no nitrogenous base pairing takes place that’s why it does not have double
stranded structure
Note:-
In DNA since Nitrogenous base pairing between two chains is fixed so if one chain
is having Adenine then other chain will have Thymine in front of it. This shows
that both the chain are complementary and not identical to each other
Types of RNA
(i) Messenger RNA
(ii) Ribosomal RNA
(iii) Transfer RNA
Thus RNA helps in synthesis of protein in body
DNA fingerprinting
Sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA is found to be unique for each individual
and information regarding this is called DNA fingerprinting
It is same for every cell of particular individual and cannot be altered by any
known treatment
DNA fingerprinting is used in
(i) Forensic labs for identification of criminals
(ii) Determining personality of a person
(iii) Identifying dead person bodies in accidents by comparing it with their
relatives
(iv) To identify the racial groups
Functions of nucleic acids
Two main functions of nucleic acids are:
(i) DNA is responsible for the transmission of inherent characters from one
generation to the next. This process of transmission is called heredity
(ii) Nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA) are responsible for protein synthesis
in a cell. Even though the proteins are actually synthesised by the
various RNA molecules in a cell, the message for the synthesis of a
particular protein is present in DNA

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 Chemistry Class XII
Question
What is the difference between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?
Answer
A nucleoside is formed by the attachment of a base to i’ position of sugar.
Nucleoside = Sugar + Base
On the other hand, all the three basic components of nucleic acids (i.e., pentose
sugar, phosphoric acid, and base) are present in a nucleotide.
Nucleotide = Sugar + Base + Phosphoric acid
Question
The two strands in DNA are not identical but are complementary. Explain
Answer
In the helical structure of DNA, the two strands are held together by hydrogen
bonds between specific pairs of bases. Cytosine forms hydrogen bond with
guanine, while adenine forms hydrogen bond with thymine. As a result, the two
strands are complementary to each other.
Question
Write the important structural and functional differences between DNA and RNA
Answer
The structural differences between DNA and RNA are as follows:
DNA RNA
(i) The sugar moiety in DNA molecules The sugar moiety in RNA molecules is
is 𝛽 − 𝐷 − 2 𝑑𝑒𝑜𝑥𝑦𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑠𝑒. 𝛽 − 𝐷 − 𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑠𝑒.
(ii) DNA contains thymine (T). It does RNA contains uracil (U). It does not
not contain uracil (U). contain thymine (T).
(iii) The helical structure of DNA is The helical structure of RNA is single
double-stranded stranded.

Functional differences between DNA and RNA

DNA
(i) DNA is the chemical basis of
heredity
(ii) DNA molecules do not synthesize
proteins, but transfer coded
RNA
RNA is not responsible for heredity.
Proteins are synthesized by RNA

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 Chemistry Class XII
Question
Differentiate between globular and fibrous proteins
Answer
Fibrous protein Globular protein
(1) It is a fibre-like structure formed by The polypeptide chain in this
the polypeptide chain. These protein is folded around itself,
proteins are held together by strong giving rise to a spherical structure
hydrogen and disulphide bonds
(2) It is usually insoluble in water It is usually soluble in water
(3) Fibrous proteins are usually used for All enzymes are globular proteins.
structural purposes. For example, Some hormones such as insulin
keratin is present in nails and hair; are also globular proteins.
collagen in tendons; and myosin in
muscles
Question
What is the effect of denaturation on the structure of proteins?
Answer
As a result of denaturation, globules get unfolded and helixes get uncoiled.
Secondary and tertiary structures of protein are destroyed, but the primary
structures remain unaltered. It can be said that during denaturation, secondary
and tertiary-structured proteins get converted into primary-structured proteins.
Also, as the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein are destroyed, the
enzyme loses its activity.
Question
Why are vitamin A and vitamin C essential to us? Give their important sources
Answer
The deficiency of vitamin A leads to xerophthalmia (hardening of the cornea of
the eye) and night blindness. The deficiency of vitamin C leads to scurvy (bleeding
gums). The sources of vitamin A are fish liver oil, carrots, butter, and milk. The
sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, amla, and green leafy vegetables.

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