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Understanding Nucleic Acids: The Building Blocks of Genetic Information

Explore the structure and function of DNA and RNA, the role of nucleotides, and the importance of base pairing in genetic information storage and transfer. Discover how nucleic acids encode vital information passed down through generations.

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Understanding Nucleic Acids: The Building Blocks of Genetic Information

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  1. Nucleic acids 2006-2007

  2. Nucleic Acids Informationstorage 2006-2007

  3. DNA proteins 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

  5. Nucleic Acids • Examples: • RNA (ribonucleic acid) • single helix • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) • double helix • Structure: • monomers = nucleotides DNA RNA

  6. RNA & DNA • RNA • single nucleotide chain • DNA • double nucleotide chain • N bases bond in pairs across chains • spiraled in a double helix • double helix 1st proposed as structure of DNA in 1953 by James Watson & Francis Crick(just celebrated 50th anniversary in 2003!)

  7. Information polymer • Function • series of bases encodes information • like the letters of a book • stored information is passed from parent to offspring • need to copy accurately • stored information = genes • genetic information Passing on information?Why is this important?

  8. Nucleotides • 3 parts • nitrogen base (C-N ring) • pentose sugar (5C) • ribose in RNA • deoxyribose in DNA • phosphate(PO4)group Nitrogen baseI’m the A,T,C,G or Upart! Are nucleic acidscharged molecules?

  9. Types of nucleotides Purine = AG Pure silver! • 2 types of nucleotides • different nitrogen bases • purines • double ring N base • adenine (A) • guanine (G) • pyrimidines • single ring N base • cytosine (C) • thymine (T) • uracil (U)

  10. Nucleic polymer • Backbone • sugar to PO4 bond • phosphodiester bond • new base added to sugar of previous base • polymer grows in one direction • N bases hang off the sugar-phosphate backbone Dangling bases?Why is this important?

  11. Pairing of nucleotides • Nucleotides bond between DNA strands • H bonds • purine :: pyrimidine • A :: T • 2 H bonds • G :: C • 3 H bonds Matching bases?Why is this important?

  12. Building the polymer

  13. DNA molecule • Double helix • H bonds between bases join the 2 strands • A :: T • C :: G H bonds?Why is this important?

  14. Copying DNA • Replication • 2 strands of DNA helix are complementary • have one, can build other • have one, can rebuild the whole Matching halves?Why is this a good system?

  15. When does a cell copy DNA? • When in the life of a cell does DNA have to be copied? • cell reproduction • mitosis • gamete production • meiosis

  16. DNA replication “It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material.” James Watson Francis Crick 1953

  17. 1953 | 1962 Watson and Crick … and others…

  18. 1953 | 1962 Maurice Wilkins… and…

  19. Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)

  20. Interesting note… • Ratio of A-T::G-C affects stability of DNA molecule • 2 H bonds vs. 3 H bonds • biotech procedures • more G-C = need higher T° to separate strands • high T° organisms • many G-C • parasites • many A-T (don’t know why)

  21. Another interesting note… • ATPAdenosine triphosphate • modified nucleotide • adenine (AMP) + Pi + Pi + +

  22. HELIXHELIX

  23. Macromolecule Review 2006-2007

  24. Carbohydrates • Structure / monomer • monosaccharide • Function • energy • raw materials • energy storage • structural compounds • Examples • glucose, starch, cellulose, glycogen glycosidic bond

  25. Lipids • Structure / building block • glycerol, fatty acid, cholesterol, H-C chains • Function • energy storage • membranes • hormones • Examples • fat, phospholipids, steroids ester bond (in a fat)

  26. Proteins • Structure / monomer • amino acids • levels of structure • Function • enzymes  defense • transport  structure • signals  receptors • Examples • digestive enzymes, membrane channels, insulin hormone, actin peptide bond

  27. Nucleic acids • Structure / monomer • nucleotide • Function • information storage & transfer • Examples • DNA, RNA phosphodiester bond

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