Nucleic Acids

MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES 01
Nucleic Acids definition & Structure

Nucleic acids are defined as large macromolecules that store,

encode and transmit genetic data from one generation to another.
 In 1969, Friedrich Miescher discovered NA.
These vital macromolecules are typically made of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen,
phosphorus, and most importantly, carbon.
They are long-chain polymers that consist of monomeric units called nucleotides.
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acid.
Each nucleotide comprises
 a phosphate group,
 a 5-carbon sugar,
 a specific nitrogen base.
In a nucleotide, if the sugar is ribose, then the polymer is called ribonucleic acid or RNA
if the sugar is deoxyribose, it is called deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.
These are the most vital of all biomolecules present in living organisms.
Found abundantly in all living organisms, they help encode, create and transmit the
codex of genetic information of every cell in every organism.
this encoded information is transmitted through the nucleic acid structure of DNA and
RNA. A string of nucleotides is bonded together to form the helical backbones of these
nucleic acids.
DNA consists of two such backbones while RNA consists of one.
These further assemble into chains of base pairs of nucleobases.
Nucleobases are prominent of four types:
 adenine,
 guanine,
 cytosine,
 uracil, and
 thymine. Note that uracil is found only in RNA while, thymine is present only in
DNA. Through a combination of several processes that include protein synthesis
using amino acids, the sequences of these nucleobases allow nucleic acids like DNA
to store and encode the body's genetic information.
Nucleic Acids Types

 there are two major types of nucleic acids commonly found in living
organisms.
 These are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
 DNA is the primary genetic material that is the source of all genetic
information in living organisms.
 From the smallest unicellular bacteria to multicellular animals such
as elephants and human beings, each of these contains DNA in their
cells. DNA is also present in the nuclei of eukaryotes as well as in
plants, chloroplast, and mitochondria.
Structure of DNA
 DNA consists of a double helix backbone made of two chains of
polynucleotides.
 This double helix consists of two DNA strands, running parallel to each other.
 There exist hydrogen bonds between the helices, while the bases are
contained in bundles within the helix.
 DNA is negatively charged, owing to the presence of phosphate groups.
 The chemical composition of DNA consists of phosphoric acid, cyclic nitrogen
bases, and pentose sugar.
 The cyclic nitrogen bases found in DNA are adenine, guanine, thymine, and
cytosine.
 These bases play a key role in the storage and transmission of genetic data,
from the parent generation to the next.
Structure of RNA

 RNA, in eukaryotic cells, mostly participates in the synthesis of proteins

and translation and transcription of genetic code.
 During transcription and protein synthesis, DNA molecules use an
intermediate messenger RNA, also called mRNA to communicate with the
entire cellular machinery, without leaving its place of origin.
 There are several other types of RNA that participate in protein synthesis.
These are the microRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.
 n addition, the RNA is single-stranded and is often found to be in a folded
state. Similar to DNA, RNA molecules also contain phosphoric acid,
heterocyclic nitrogen bases, and a pentose sugar group.
 The heterocyclic bases found in RNA are guanine, adenine, cytosine, and
uracil. Unlike DNA, the sugar molecule present in RNA is a β-D-ribose,
attached to phosphate groups.
 Based on the functions they perform, RNA is of four different types.
 Messenger RNA: During the process of transcription, an RNA transcript is
formed, which is also known as messenger RNA. The DNA uses this to
communicate with all the other cells.
 Micro RNA: Micro RNA is the smallest of all four types of RNA. It plays a
very crucial role in gene expression and regulation.
 Transfer RNA: Transfer RNAs participate in the translation of the mRNA
transcript produced during protein synthesis.
 Ribosomal RNA: One of the most essential RNAs known, these are an
integral component of ribosomes and help produce proteins in the body
and our cells.
Nucleic Acids Function

 The DNA never leaves its place of origin but uses the RNA to act as an intermediate
to communicate with the rest of the cell.
 DNA is an essential component required for transferring genes from parents to
offspring.
 RNA is an especially important factor in the manufacturing of proteins. to that of
RNA, as they are complementary. This process is called Transcription.
 DNA is a vital part of the fingerprinting method employed by forensic experts. Often
used in matters of paternal disputes as well as criminal cases.
 the study of DNA is among the most flourishing fields of research, including
evolution, anthropology, natural history, and epidemiology.
 The loss of nucleic acids, or DNA in cells, can be the cause for mutation and a
variety of other diseases.
 Difference between DNA and RNA
DNA RNA

It contains deoxyribose sugar. It contains ribose sugar.

It can be present in the nucleus, mitochondria, and It is related to chromosomes and can be found in the
chloroplast chromosomes. cytoplasm, nucleolus, and nucleoplasm.

Double-stranded structure. Single-stranded structures generally except a few viruses.

Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil are the nitrogenous
nitrogenous bases found. bases found.

A long molecule with high molecular weight. A relatively short molecule with low molecular weight.

Purines and pyrimidines occur in equal proportion Purines and pyrimidines do not occur in equal proportion.

Only a few viruses and viroid have RNA as their genetic

DNA is the hereditary material.
material.