DNA AND RNA

GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
GAS - 11

Phol Jamel A. Cardinoza

Barbie Aguilar
Cassandra Padilla
Jeraldine Serrano
Cairon Guiamalon
Rafael Lazaro
DNA
DNA STRUCTURE

DNA comprises a sugar-phosphate

backbone and the nucleotide bases
(guanine, cytosine, adenine and thymine).
The DNA structure can be thought of as a
twisted ladder. This structure is described
as a double-helix.
DNA STRUCTURE

The DNA molecule is composed of units called nucleotides, and

each nucleotide is composed of three different components
such as sugar, phosphate groups and nitrogen bases. The sugar
and phosphate groups link the nucleotides together to form
each strand of DNA. Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G)
and Cytosine (C) are four types of nitrogen bases. These 4
Nitrogenous bases pair together in the following way: A with T,
and C with G. These base pairs are essential for the DNA’s
double helix structure, which resembles a twisted ladder.
DNA FUNCTION

• It is the genetic material, therefore responsible for carrying all the

hereditary information.
• It has property of replication essential for passing genetic
information from one cell to its daughters or from one generation to
next.
• Crossing over produces recombination.
• Changes in sequence and no. of nucleotides causes mutation which
is responsible for all variations and formation of new species.
DNA EXAMPLES
Human DNA: Human DNA is the genetic material that contains all the
information needed to create and maintain the human body.
Plant DNA: Plant DNA contains the genetic information needed for the growth
and development of plants, including information about their physical
characteristics and metabolism.
Bacterial DNA: Bacterial DNA contains the genetic information that is
responsible for the unique traits and functions of individual bacterial species.
Animal DNA: Animal DNA is the genetic material that is responsible for the
development and functioning of all animals, including humans.
Viral DNA: Viral DNA is the genetic material that is found in viruses, and is
responsible for their ability to infect host cells and replicate.
PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY, AND
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF DNA
• The primary structure of DNA refers to the linear sequence of
nucleotides that make up the DNA molecule. The nucleotides in
DNA consist of a sugar molecule (deoxyribose), a phosphate group,
and one of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or
thymine).
• The secondary structure of DNA is the double helix, which consists
of two complementary strands of nucleotides that are held together
by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases. Adenine always
pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine.
PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY, AND
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF DNA
• The tertiary structure of DNA refers to the way in which the double
helix is further organized and packaged within the nucleus of a cell.
DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones, which help to
compact and organize the DNA into a structure called chromatin.
• The quaternary structure of DNA refers to the way in which multiple
DNA molecules can interact with each other to form more complex
structures. For example, DNA can form double-stranded helices that
are intertwined with each other, such as in the case of the double
helix that forms during DNA replication.
RNA
RNA STRUCTURE

RNA is a ribonucleic acid that helps in the synthesis of proteins in our

body. This nucleic acid is responsible for the production of new cells in
the human body. It is usually obtained from the DNA molecule. RNA
resembles the same as that of DNA, the only difference being that it
has a single strand unlike the DNA which has two strands and it
consists of an only single ribose sugar molecule in it.
RNA STRUCTURE

The ribonucleic acid has all the components

same to that of the DNA with only 2 main
differences within it. RNA has the same
nitrogen bases called the adenine, Guanine,
Cytosine as that of the DNA except for the
Thymine which is replaced by the uracil.
Adenine and uracil are considered as the
major building blocks of RNA and both of
them form base-pair with the help of 2 hydrogen bonds.
RNA FUNCTION

The ribonucleic acid – RNA, which are mainly composed of nucleic acids,
are involved in a variety of functions within the cell and are found in all
living organisms including bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals.
• Facilitate the translation of DNA into proteins
• Functions as an adapter molecule in protein synthesis
• Serves as a messenger between the DNA and the ribosomes.
• They are the carrier of genetic information in all living cells
• Promotes the ribosomes to choose the right amino acid which is
required in building up of new proteins in the body.
RNA EXAMPLES
Messenger RNA (mRNA): This type of RNA carries genetic information from DNA to
ribosomes, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.
Transfer RNA (tRNA): tRNA is responsible for delivering amino acids to the ribosome during
protein synthesis. Each tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid and recognizes a specific
codon (a sequence of three nucleotides) on the mRNA.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): This type of RNA makes up the ribosome, which is the site of
protein synthesis. It helps to catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids.
Small interfering RNA (siRNA): This type of RNA is involved in gene regulation by interfering
with the expression of specific genes. It can target and cleave mRNA molecules, preventing
them from being translated into protein.
MicroRNA (miRNA): Like siRNA, miRNA is involved in gene regulation. It can target and
degrade mRNA molecules or prevent them from being translated into protein.
PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY, AND
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF RNA
• The primary structure of an RNA molecule is the linear sequence of nucleotides
that make up the molecule. RNA nucleotides consist of a ribose sugar, a
phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The four nitrogenous bases in RNA
are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U). The sequence of these
bases determines the genetic information carried by the RNA molecule.
• The secondary structure of RNA refers to the local folding and base pairing of
the RNA molecule. RNA molecules can form stem-loop structures, where
complementary base pairs within a single strand of RNA form a double helix.
These structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. RNA
can also form hairpin loops, where a short segment of single-stranded RNA
folds back on itself and base pairs with a complementary segment of the same
RNA molecule.
PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY, AND
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF RNA
• The tertiary structure of RNA refers to the 3D folding of the RNA
molecule. This folding is driven by interactions between different
regions of the RNA molecule, including base pairing, base stacking, and
interactions between RNA and other molecules such as proteins or
metal ions. The tertiary structure of RNA is critical for its function, as it
determines the shape and chemical properties of the RNA molecule.
• The quaternary structure of RNA refers to the interactions between
multiple RNA molecules. Some RNA molecules can form complexes with
other RNA molecules, as well as with proteins and other molecules.
These interactions can be important for the function of RNA, such as in
the formation of ribosomes or the regulation of gene expression.