Transcript 3.1 Nucleic Acids - Biology with Radjewski
3.1 Nucleic Acids Mini Lecture Radjewski
Keep in mind • We will be covering DNA in extreme detail in a later chapter, so for now you just need to know the basic structure and functions.
Nucleic acids are polymers specialized for • storage • Transmission • use of genetic information.
• • Examples: DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid RNA = ribonucleic acid Monomers:
Nucleotides
Nucleotide Structure • 3 parts 1. Nitrogen Base 2. Pentose Sugar 3. Phosphate Group
Part 1: Nitrogen Bases • • Nitrogen Bases:
Pyrimidines
—single rings Purines— double rings
Part 2: Pentose Sugar
Part 3: Phosphate Group
How does a nucleotide make DNA/RNA?
• • Many Condensation reactions Bond is called phosphodiester bond
ATP – another type of nucleotide • • • Adenosine Tri Phosphate Energy currency in cells If it loses a phosphate group, it releases energy!
– Then we are left with Adenosine DiPhosphate and an inorganic phosphate group