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Nucleic acids: Information Molecules

CarbonHydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen

Phosphorus

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DNADNA

Nucleic Acids Function:

genetic material made of nucleotide sequences stores information

blueprint for building proteins

transfers informationblueprint for new cellsreproduction

proteinsproteins

RNARNA

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Nucleic Acids Structure

Monomer = nucleotide

5 different nucleotides different nitrogen bases A, T, C, G, U

nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide

phosphate

sugar N base

Nitrogen basesI’m the

A,T,C,G or Upart!

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Nucleotide chains Nucleic acids

nucleotides chained into a polymer DNA

double-sideddouble helixA, C, G, T

RNAsingle-sidedA, C, G, U

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

strong bonds

RNA

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NUCLEIC ACIDS: DNA & RNA

Examples DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Found in the nucleus of the cell

Double sided = double helix structure

stores informationDirects RNA synthesis (transcription)Directs protein synthesis (translation)

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Function of DNA

1

2

3

Synthesis of mRNA in the nucleus

Movement of mRNA into cytoplasm via nuclear pore

Synthesisof protein

NUCLEUSCYTOPLASM

DNA

mRNA

Ribosome

AminoacidsPolypeptide

mRNA

Figure 5.25

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DNA Double strand of polynucleotides twisted into a double helix weak bonds between nitrogen bases join

the 2 strands A pairs with T

A :: T C pairs with G

C :: G the two strands can

separate when our cells need to make copies of it

weak bonds

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DNA Structure

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

http://www.dnatube.com/video/3447/DNA-double-helix

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

phosphate

sugar N base

****

****

****

****

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Nucleotide Polymers

Are made up of nucleotides linked by the–OH group on the 3´ carbon of one nucleotide and the phosphate on the 5´ carbon on the next

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The DNA double helix Consists of two antiparallel nucleotide

strands3’ end

Sugar-phosphatebackbone

Base pair (joined byhydrogen bonding)

Old strands

Nucleotideabout to be added to a new strand

A

3’ end

3’ end

5’ end

Newstrands

3’ end

5’ end

5’ end

Figure 5.27

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NUCLEIC ACIDS

RNA Ribonucleic Acid Found in the nucleus, ribosomes, and

mitochondria Single sided Contains nitrogenous base U instead of T Transfers information

Blueprint for protein synthesis

RNA

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AA

A

A

TC

G

CG

T

GC

T