NUCLEIC ACIDS (DNA & RNA)
a complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose
molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.
• Controls the Structure & metabolism of the cell
• Carries information/ hereditary material (genes/DNA)
• Provides a mechanism through cell division (mitosis & meiosis) for the
transmission of hereditary information (passing on of information
• GENE!!!"piece of DNA with a particular base pair sequence that
codes for a speci c protein
NUCLEUS
Nucleoplasm Nucleolus
Consists of chromatin Contains RNA
Consists of DNA & protein
NUCLEIC ACIDS:
o DNA & RNA known as molecules of life
o Have capacity to store large amounts of information in microscopic space
which controls metabolism
o They do this by controlling the synthesis of proteins (enzymes), therefore
ultimately the structure and function of cells
o There are 2 types of nucleic acid:
➢ DNA!!!"made up of molecules called NUCLEOTIDES
➢ RNA!!!" made up of molecules called NUCLEOTIDES
o They are responsible for:
1. Transferring the hereditary characteristics
, 2. Controlling the structure of proteins made during protein synthesis
3. They are polymers (macromolecule made up of many repetitive units!!!
"monomers)
4. The monomers of nucleic acids are NUCLEOTIDES
NUCLEIOTIDE CONSISTS OF 3 PARTS:
S-P BONDS
- 2 of DNA nucleotides link between bases by means of WEAK HYDROGEN
BONDS
3 bonds 2 bonds
4 TYPES OF NITROGENOUS BASES (amino acids):
➢ Adenine
—>PURINES
➢ Guanine
➢ Cytosine
—->PYRIMIDINES
➢ Thymine
a complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose
molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.
• Controls the Structure & metabolism of the cell
• Carries information/ hereditary material (genes/DNA)
• Provides a mechanism through cell division (mitosis & meiosis) for the
transmission of hereditary information (passing on of information
• GENE!!!"piece of DNA with a particular base pair sequence that
codes for a speci c protein
NUCLEUS
Nucleoplasm Nucleolus
Consists of chromatin Contains RNA
Consists of DNA & protein
NUCLEIC ACIDS:
o DNA & RNA known as molecules of life
o Have capacity to store large amounts of information in microscopic space
which controls metabolism
o They do this by controlling the synthesis of proteins (enzymes), therefore
ultimately the structure and function of cells
o There are 2 types of nucleic acid:
➢ DNA!!!"made up of molecules called NUCLEOTIDES
➢ RNA!!!" made up of molecules called NUCLEOTIDES
o They are responsible for:
1. Transferring the hereditary characteristics
, 2. Controlling the structure of proteins made during protein synthesis
3. They are polymers (macromolecule made up of many repetitive units!!!
"monomers)
4. The monomers of nucleic acids are NUCLEOTIDES
NUCLEIOTIDE CONSISTS OF 3 PARTS:
S-P BONDS
- 2 of DNA nucleotides link between bases by means of WEAK HYDROGEN
BONDS
3 bonds 2 bonds
4 TYPES OF NITROGENOUS BASES (amino acids):
➢ Adenine
—>PURINES
➢ Guanine
➢ Cytosine
—->PYRIMIDINES
➢ Thymine
