All cells and viruses contain the macromolecules known as nucleic acids. Nucleic acids are used to store and express genetic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is where the cell stores the information it needs to produce proteins. Another type of nucleic acid that is linked to ribonucleic acid participates in the creation of proteins and is found in different molecular forms.
Function and Structure of Nucleic Acids:
All living things require nucleic acids, which are found in every cell. There are two types of nucleic acids found in nature. They are ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), respectively. Biopolymers of naturally occurring monomers that may form nucleotides make up nucleic acids. From nucleotides, nucleic acids are formed. To comprehend the structure of nucleic acid, one must first learn the structure of a nucleotide. The three components of a nucleotide—a phosphate group, a nitrogen base, and a pentose molecule—combine to form a nucleic acid.
Phosphate Group: A negatively charged oxygen atom is joined to a phosphorus atom to form the phosphate group.
Pentose Molecule: Deoxyribose and ribose are the pentoses found in DNA and RNA. Both contain one oxygen atom and five carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are also joined to hydroxyl groups and hydrogen atoms. In ribose, the second and third carbon atoms have two hydroxyl groups connected to them, but in deoxyribose, the third carbon atom has a hydroxyl group attached to it, and the hydrogen atom is linked to the second carbon atom.
Nitrogen Base: Here, the nitrogen molecule serves as a base and transfers electrons to other atoms to create new molecules. Nitrogen bases are capable of joining with molecules of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen to create ring structures. With a single ring, as in pyrimidines, and a double ring, as in purines, ring structures are created. Adenine and guanine are categorized as purines, whereas thymine, uracil, and cytosine are categorized as pyrimidines. Purines and pyrimidines have different sizes, which affects how they couple together in DNA strands.
Bonds in Nucleic Acid: The pentose sugar molecule, phosphorus atom, and nitrogen atom are held together by glycosidic and ester linkages. The first carbon of pentose sugar and the ninth nitrogen atom of a nitrogenous base produce glycosidic linkages. The phosphate group and the fifth carbon of the pentose sugar molecule link to produce ester bonds. DNA and RNA are made up of polynucleotides, which are chains of nucleotides.
The 5th carbon of the ribose sugar molecule bonds with the 3rd carbon of the subsequent ribose sugar molecule to create these polynucleotide chains. This is repeated all the way down the phosphate-sugar hybrid's backbone's chain of nucleotides. In RNA and DNA, the five-carbon molecule is known as deoxyribose. Two antiparallel polynucleotide strands are joined by hydrogen bonds to produce DNA's two strands. Through a mechanism known as a complementary base pairing, two hydrogen bonds develop between adenine and thymine and three hydrogen bonds between guanine and cytosine.
A Nucleotide is the Building Block of Nucleic Acid
Purines
Function of DNA:
Every living creature on Earth is made of DNA, which is the building block of life. DNA has the job of storing all the genetic data needed for an organism to grow, operate, and reproduce. In essence, it is the biological handbook that is present in each of your cells.
DNA's structure is related to how it works. which, in order to comprehend its purpose, is useful to reread. Nucleotides are DNA's fundamental building components, as was already mentioned. These nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and sugar with five carbons. Each DNA strand is made up of nucleotides joined by sugars and phosphates. Base pairs are created between the nucleotides of each strand of DNA when the two strands are joined together.
Function of RNA:
RNA regulates the expression of information encoded in the DNA as proteins and plays a vital role in protein synthesis. In certain viruses, the genetic material is carried by RNA. The production of new cells in the body, acting as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes, translating DNA into proteins, and selecting the proper amino acids to create new proteins in the body are just a few of RNA's tasks.
Transfer RNA (tRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), and ribosomal RNA are used in three different ways to carry out the nucleic acid activities of RNA listed above (rRNA). Not all nucleic acids participate in the processing of the data that cells store.
All living things, including bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals, include ribonucleic acids, or RNA, which are mostly made up of nucleic acids and are involved in a range of cellular processes. In addition to serving as a structural component of cell organelles, these nucleic acids also participate in the catalysis of biological activities. The many RNA types participate in several biological processes. The main purposes of RNA include:
Aide in the process of turning DNA into proteins
Serves as an adaptor molecule in the production of proteins.
Acts as a liaison between the ribosomes and the DNA.
All living cells include them as the genetic information carrier.
Encourages the ribosomes to select the proper amino acid, which is necessary for the body to produce new proteins.
ATP: The adenosine triphosphate molecule's three phosphate groups are joined by strong bonds that provide the cell energy. ATP is the source of energy required by all live cells for numerous cellular processes. The last phosphate group, which is released when energy is released, gives the cell its energy. Adenosine diphosphate is created as a result of this process of releasing phosphate from ATP (ADP). Adenosine monophosphate is created when two phosphate groups from ATP are removed (AMP).
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