The Blueprint of Protein Synthesis

Proteins play a critical role in chemical reactions of microorganisms and other kinds of
organisms. Information needed to direct the synthesis of a protein is contained in DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic Acid). This information is transferred through generations from parent to
child microorganisms. Nucleotides also store energy in high-energy bonds and form together
to make nucleic acids.
There are three parts to a nucleotide:
• A nitrogen base, such as adenine.
• A five-carbon sugar, such as ribose.
• One or more phosphate groups.
Nucleic acids form by the joining of nucleotides that have stored energy that the microorganism
needs for metabolism. Enzymes form to speed the rate of the chemical reaction that breaks
these high-energy bonds to release the energy needed for cell metabolism.
Nucleic acids are long polymer chains that are found in the nucleus of cells and contain all the
genetic material of the cell. Genetic material determines the activities of the cell and is passed
on from generation to generation.

TYPES OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

There are two types of nucleic acids found in the cell:
• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is a double strand of nucleotides that is organized
into segments. Each segment is called a gene. Genes determine the genetic markers that
are inherited from previous generations of the organism. A genetic marker is a specific
genetic characteristic such as the ability to synthesize proteins. Protein controls
activities of the cell. Some microorganisms, such as viruses contain either DNA or RNA
but not both. Think of DNA as a set of instructions.
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA). RNA is a single strand of nucleotides that relays instructions
from genes to ribosomes, guiding the chemical reactions in the synthesis of amino acids
into protein. Think of RNA as the person who carries out the instructions of DNA.

The Power House: ATP

Energy is stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. ATP supplies power
necessary to:
• Move flagella in microorganisms.
• Move chromosomes in the cytoplasm.
• Transport substances in and out of the plasma membrane.
• Synthesis reactions.
ATP is synthesized from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a phosphate group (P), the latter of
which gets its energy from the decomposition reaction of glucose and other substances. ATP
releases energy in the form of ADP and P when ATP is decomposed.