Nucleic Acids

1
Nucleic Acids

• 2 Types
• DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid
• RNA- ribonucleic acid
• What do they do?
• Contain genetic information

2
DNA

• Exists as double helix- like a spiral staircase
• Encodes cells protein sequences
• Exists in our cells in compact segments called
  chromosomes

3
RNA

• Three different types of RNA for different
  purposes(will discuss in later unit)
• Makes working copies of genes
• Genes dictate what amino acids are needed to make
  a certain protein

4
What are nucleic acids made of?

• Subunits (monomers)are called nucleotides
• nucleotides are made of 3 parts
• 1. Phosphate group (PO4)
• 2. Sugar
• 3. Nitrogen Containing Base

5
Nucleic Acid (DNA)
6
Bases

• 2 groups
• Purines- larger bases
• Adenine
• Guanine
• Pyrimidines- smaller bases
• Thymine
• Cytosine

7
The Bases
8
Bases

• Adenine always pairs up with Thymine and vice
  versa
• Guanine and Cytosine always pair together