Nucleic acids:

1. Nucleic acids: Information molecules

2. Nucleic Acids Examples • DNA • DeoxyriboNucleic Acid • RNA • RiboNucleic Acid RNA

3. proteins DNA Nucleic Acids • Function: • genetic material • stores information • genes • blueprint for building proteins • DNA  RNA  proteins • transfers information • blueprint for new cells • blueprint for next generation

4. T G A C T A C A G G A T C Genes (DNA)are needed to run bodies every day… to make you and me…to make new cells… to make babies!

5. sugar N base phosphate Nucleic acids • Building block = nucleotides nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide – nucleotide • 5 different nucleotides • different nitrogen bases • A, T, C, G, U Nitrogen basesI’m the A,T,C,G or Upart!

6. sugar sugar sugar sugar N base N base N base N base phosphate phosphate phosphate phosphate Nucleotide chains • Nucleic acids • nucleotides chained into a polymer • DNA • double-sided • double helix • A, C, G, T • RNA • single-sided • A, C, G, U strong bonds RNA

7. DNA • Double strand twists 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

8. Copying DNA • Replication • copy DNA • 2 strands of DNA helix are complementary • they are matching • have one, can build other • have one, can rebuild the whole

9. DNA replication • Copying DNA • pairing of the bases allows each strand to serve as a pattern for a new strand Newly copied strands of DNA

10. 1953 | 1962 Watson and Crick … and others…

11. HELIXHELIX Let’s build some DNA!