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Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are composed of nucleotides, which contain a phosphate group, pentose sugar, and nitrogenous base. DNA exists as a double helix within cells and contains the genetic instructions passed from parents to offspring. It replicates through semiconservative replication to make copies. RNA assists in decoding DNA genes and synthesizing proteins. Mutations in DNA can alter protein sequences and cause effects on organisms. Viruses contain nucleic acids and can infect cells. Genetic engineering techniques like recombinant DNA allow scientists to modify genes.

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11 views

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are composed of nucleotides, which contain a phosphate group, pentose sugar, and nitrogenous base. DNA exists as a double helix within cells and contains the genetic instructions passed from parents to offspring. It replicates through semiconservative replication to make copies. RNA assists in decoding DNA genes and synthesizing proteins. Mutations in DNA can alter protein sequences and cause effects on organisms. Viruses contain nucleic acids and can infect cells. Genetic engineering techniques like recombinant DNA allow scientists to modify genes.

Uploaded by

Rezeil Ca
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NUCLEIC ACIDS

Lesson 8
q Types of Nucleic Acids
q Nucleotides
q The DNA
Chapter q DNA Replication
Outline q Protein Synthesis
q Mutations
q Nucleic Acids and Viruses
q Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering
Nucleic Acids

• Naturally occurring chemical compounds


• Serve as the primary information-carrying molecules in cells
• Unbranched polymer in which the monomer units are nucleotides

ü Occurs in all parts of ü Found within the cell


the cell nucleus
ü Primary function is ü Stores and transfers
the synthesis of genetic information
proteins ü Passed from existing
cells to new cells during
cell division
Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Components of a nucleotide
• Pentose sugar
• Phosphate group
• Heterocyclic base/
Nitrogenous base
Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Pentose Sugar
• Ribose is present in RNA
• Deoxyribose is present in RNA
Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Nitrogen-containing Heterocyclic Base


Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Phosphate Group
• Form phosphodiester bonds with
the pentose sugars serve as
backbone of DNA or RNA
Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Glycosidic bond
Ester bond
Nucleoside Formation

• The base is attached to C1ʹ position of the sugar (β-configuration)


• It is a condensation reaction àH2O is released
Nucleotide Formation

• The phosphate is attached to C5ʹ position


• It is a condensation reaction àH2O is released
The DNA Double Helix

DNA Sequence
• Two polynucleotide strands are coiled
around each other in a spiral
• Connected by hydrogen bonds
• They run in opposite directions
ü 5ʹ-to-3ʹ direction
ü 3ʹ-to-5ʹ direction
The DNA Double Helix

Base Pairing
• A purine is always paired with a pyrimidine
• G (Guanine) → C (Cytosine)
• A (Adenine) → T (Thymine)
• G and A are purines
• C and T are pyrimidines
The DNA Double Helix

Practice Exercise
Predict the sequence of bases in the DNA strand complementary to the
single DNA strand shown below:

5ʹ A–A–T–G–C–A–G–C–T–G–C–G 3ʹ

3’ T–T–A–C–G–T–C–G–A–C–G–C 5’
DNA Replication

• The biochemical process by which DNA molecules produce exact


duplicates of themselves
• WHEN: Interphase
• WHERE: Nucleus
• KEY PLAYERS:
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication

Single-Stranded Binding Proteins


DNA Replication

Single-Stranded Binding Proteins


DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
Ribonucleic Acids

Types of RNA Molecules

• Messenger RNA (mRNA)


Carries instructions for protein synthesis

• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)


Combines with specific proteins to form ribosomes

• Transfer RNA (tRNA)


Delivers amino acids to sites for protein synthesis
Protein Synthesis

• DNA molecules control the synthesis of proteins


• Phases of protein synthesis
• Transcription
• Translation

Transcription Translation
DNA RNA Protein
Protein Synthesis: Transcription
Protein Synthesis: Transcription

Transcription
• The process by which DNA directs the synthesis of mRNA molecules

Stages in the Transcription Process

1. Initiation
2. Elongation
3. Termination
Protein Synthesis: Transcription

1. Initiation
2. Elongation
3. Termination
The DNA Double Helix

Practice Exercise
Predict the sequence of bases in the mRNA strand from the single DNA
strand shown below:

5ʹ A–A–T–G–C–A–G–C–T–G–C–G 3ʹ
3’ T–T–A–C–G–T–C–G–A–C–G–C 5’
The DNA Double Helix

Practice Exercise
Predict the sequence of bases in the mRNA strand from the single DNA
strand shown below:

5ʹ A–A–T–G–C–A–G–C–T–G–C–G 3ʹ
3’ T–T–A–C–G–T–C–G–A–C–G–C 5’

5ʹ A–A–U–G–C–A–G–C–U–G–C–G 3ʹ
Protein Synthesis: Transcription

Post-Transcription Processing: Formation of mRNA

Splicing— excision of introns and joining of exons using spliceosome


ü Exon: gene segment that codes for genetic information
ü Intron: DNAs segment that does not code for genetic information
Protein Synthesis: Transcription
Protein Synthesis: Translation

Translation
• The process in which mRNA codons are deciphered and a specific
protein molecule is synthesized
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation

CODON
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation
Protein Synthesis: Translation

Peptide bond
Protein Synthesis: Translation

Peptide bond
Protein Synthesis: Translation

Peptide bond
Mutations

• An error in base sequence in a gene that is


reproduced during DNA replication

• Altered genetic information is passed on


during transcription

• Altered information can cause changes in


amino acid sequence during protein
synthesis

• Changes can cause a profound effect on


the organism
Mutations

• Point Mutation
• Chromosomal Mutation
Mutations

• Point Mutation
• Chromosomal Mutation
Mutations
Mutations

Mutagens

• A mutagen is a substance or agent that causes a change in the


structure of a gene
• Types
ü Radiation (ultraviolet light, x-rays, and radioactivity)
ü Chemical agents (Nitrous acid or HNO2)
• Repair enzymes present in the body are able to identify and replace
altered bases
NUCLEIC ACIDS
&
VIRUSES
GENETIC ENGINEERING
&
Recombinant DNA

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