S-BIOL327A – INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS Lecture

1ST SEM (2024-2025) – Period 1st Sem 2024-2025

Final: Module 6 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function

Schoolbook: 3. When there is error or mutation, the

error or mutation is duplicated as
faithfully as the original.

4. It must have the capacity to carry all

the necessary biological information.

5. It must be able to transmit this

information from generation to
generation.

6. The information stored and carried in

the molecule must be decoded and
translated into action.
DNA is basically a long molecule that
contains coded instructions for the cells. Primary Structure of the DNA
Everything the cells do is coded somehow Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is composed
in DNA - which cells should grow and of phosphate backbone, deoxyribose and
when, which cells should die and when, four different nitrogenous bases (adenine,
which cells should make an organ and cytosine, guanine and thymine).
what type it should be. Our DNA is inherited
from our parents thus there are The nitrogenous base covalently binds
characteristics that we resemble from through N-glycosidic bond with a sugar to
them. form nucleoside.

In 1953, the DNA was described as a The nucleoside, in turn binds covalently to
double helix molecule by James Watson the phosphate group through
and Francis Crick. This structure explains phosphoester linkage and form
both important functional aspects: the nucleotide.
replication and the transmission of genetic The covalent joining of nucleotides by
information. The elucidation of this structure phosphodiester linkage or bridges make up
of DNA revolutionized all aspects of the polynucleotide.
biology.

Characteristics of Genetic Material

DNA is the main hereditary material, but

some organisms contain RNA (e.g.
retrovirus).

RNA mostly plays the role of a messenger in

higher organisms. Scientists elucidated
certain properties of the molecule to be
Secondary Structure of the DNA
considered as genetic material.
DNA is composed of two strands that are
1. The molecule must be able to
antiparallel, so that the 5’ carbon end of
duplicate itself with extraordinary
one strand faces the 3’ carbon end of its
fidelity.
complementary strand.
2. The molecular structure must be very
This is important in DNA replication and
stable. Mutations occur in very low
nucleic acid interactions. These two
frequency.
antiparallel strands of the DNA are held distribution of one DNA copy to
together by hydrogen bonds in between each resulting cell.
paired nitrogenous bases. ➢ DNA can also be enzymatically
degraded and used as a source of
Base pairing in the DNA is very specific,
nucleosides and nucleotides for the
adenine pairs with thymine using two
cell. Unlike other macromolecules,
hydrogen bonds and cytosine pairs with
DNA does not serve a structural role
guanine using three hydrogen bonds,
in cells.
respectively. The arrangement or
sequences of these bases is a Difference Between DNA and RNA
characteristic of a DNA molecule.
DNA RNA
Sequences vary in different species and Acid name DeoxyriboNucl RiboNucleic
capable of storing huge amount, diverse eic
Stability very stable less stable
kinds of biological information. The two
(long “life”) (short “life”)
strands of the DNA form a complete right-
Nucleus
handed (clockwise) turn every 34 Found in Mitochondria
angstroms (Å) with minor and major (most Nucleus
grooves. eukaryotes) and
Plastids (plant cytosols
There are ten base pairs in one complete cells)
turn, thus each base pair occupies Function Static, digital Dynamic,
3.4 Å. The diameter of the DNA molecule is genetic data many
20 Å. storage varied
functions
Copier DNA RNA
Enzyme polymerase polymerase
Long Short
Structure nucleotide nucleotide
chain chain
Two One strand
complimentary
strands
A-, B-, or C- A-form helix
form helix only
“Backbone Inorganic phosphate
Deoxyribose (D Ribose (R in
in DNA) RNA)
Nucleobases Thymine, Uracil
Cytosine, replaces
Adenine, Thymine
Guanine
Base Pairing A <--> T A <--> U
Function of the DNA (Adenine to (Adenine to
Thymine) Uracil)
➢ DNA stores the information needed G <--> C (Guanine to
to build and control the cell. The Cytosine)
transmission of this information from EM Radiation Somewhat UV Relatively
mother to daughter cells is sensitive UV resistant
called vertical gene transfer and it
occurs through the process of DNA
replication.
➢ DNA is replicated when a cell makes
a duplicate copy of its DNA, then the
cell divides, resulting in the correct
PPT:

Nucleic Acid: Structure and Function

Chemical Composition of Chromosome

1. Nucleic Acids

❖ Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) – 30 to

40%
❖ Ribonucleic acid (RNA) – 0.5to10%

2. Proteins- 50 to 65% A

❖ Histone (basic proteins) - 80%

❖ Lysine rich – H1
❖ Slightly lysine rich – H2A, H2B
❖ Arginine rich – H3 and H4 2.
❖ Non-histone chromosomal protein
(acidic proteins) – 20%

Primary Structure of the DNA

➔ DNA is a polymer composed of

repeating nucleotides

Tertiary Structure of the DNA

➔ A DNA polymer consists of

nucleotide pairs are linked by 3’-5’
phosphodiester bonds.
➔ DNA base composition:
CHARGAFF’s RULE
A=T; C≡G;
Purines=Pyrimidine
➔ Purified native DNA can be
denatured by gentle heating.
➔ The X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA
fibers indicate the helical structure of
molecule

Conversion Factor

Å = 0.1nanometer

= 0.0001 micrometer

= 1 x 10-7 millimeter

= 1 x 10-8 centimeter

= 1 X 10-9 decimeter

= 1 x 10-10 meter

= 1 x 10-13 kilometer