Nuclei C Acids: BSN 1y0-5

BIOCHEMISTRY
NUCLEI
C ACIDS
BSN 1y0-5
NUCLEIC ACIDS
- are biological molecules essential for
life, and include DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Together
with proteins, nucleic acids make up the
most important macromolecules; each is
found in abundance in all living things.
Nucleic acids were first discovered by
Friedrich Miescher in 1871 which he
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
DNA makes up the chromosome within
the cell’s nucleus and is the main
repository for the genetic information of
cell.
RNA is present both in nucleus and

cytoplasm and functions for protein
synthesis.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
The relationship of DNA and

RNA and to protein is often
expressed in a graphic syllogism
called the “central dogma”.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
Central dogma
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
MOLECULAR COMPOSITION AND SIZE
Nucleic acids can vary in size, but are generally
very large molecules. Indeed, DNA molecules
are probably the largest individual molecules
known. Well-studied biological nucleic acid
molecules range in size from 21 nucleotides (
small interfering RNA) to large chromosomes
(human chromosome is a single molecule that
contains 247 million base pairs).
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
it is composed of nucleotides , each
nucleotide is made up of :
 pentose - either ribose for RNA or
deoxryribose for DNA.
 nitrogen – may be a purine( adenine or
guanine) or a pyrimidine(cytosine,
thymine or uracil).
 phosphate
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
DNA and RNA contain the
purines adenine and guanine
and the pyrimidine cytosine.
Thymine is found only in DNA
while uracil is found only in
RNA.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
FORMATION:
A pentose and a nitrogen base form a nucleoside;
a nucleoside together with phosphate form a nucleotide
and successive nucleotides form a nucleic acid.
When a phosphate is linked to the 51 carbon of
the pentose of the nucleoside, a nucleotide is formed.
A nucleic acid is formed by means of a 3¹ 5¹
phosphodiester linkage between successive nucleotides.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
DEOXYRIBOSE
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
NAMING OF NUCLEOSIDES AND
NUCLEOTIDES
DEOXYRIBOSE
Base Deoxyribonucleoside Deoxyribonucleotide
Adenine Deoxyadenosine Deoxyadenelic acid
Thymine Thymidine Thymidylic acid

Cytosine Deoxycytidine Deoxycytidylic acid
Guanine Deoxyguanosined Deoxyguanilic acid

“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
RIBOSE
Base Ribonucleoside Ribonucleotide
Adenine Adenosine Adenylic acid
Uracil Uridine Uridylic acid
Cytosine Cytidine Cytidylic acid
Guanine Guanosine Guanylic acid
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
STRUCTURE OF NUCLEIC ACIDS
DNA
DNA occurs as two very long antiparallel chains ,
that is, in reading the left strand from top to bottom,
the sugar –phosphate linkage are 51 3¹,whereas on the
right strand they are 3’5¹. the chain forms a double
helical structure which is maintained by hydrogen
bonding between complementary bases.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
The complement of Adenine (A) is Thymine (T)

linked by two hydrogen bonds; while the
complement of guanine (G) is cytosine (C) linked by
three hydrogen bonds. Thus, the molar quantity of
thymine is equal to adenine and that of guanine is
equal to cytosine or A = T and G = C as a whole, the
DNA contains equivalent amounts of purine and
pyrimidine; that is, A + G = T+C
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
RNA
 messenger RNA or mRNA is synthesized in nucleus
using a portion of a DNA strand as its template or mold.
Amino acids are coded for by the “codon” in the mRNA
made up of three ribonucleotides. Each codon codes for a
specific amino acids.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
 Transfer RNA or tRNA is a small, single-
stranded molecule of 75 – 90 ribonucleotides.
The anticodon arm permits the temporary
complementary pairing with the codon on the
mRNA.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
 ribosomal RNA or rRNA is found in the
ribosome and is responsible for the formation of
the peptide linkage between amino acids within
ribosome during protein synthesis.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
FACTORS AFFECTING NUCLEIC ACID
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
1. High temperature
- denatures DNA by breaking its hydrogen
bonds.
2. pH
- does not readily affect DNA but RNA is
hydrolyzed
3. Ultraviolet radiation
- this is absorbed by the pyrimidine bases
resulting in the cleavage of hydrogen bonds
which will lead to abnormal replication and
transcription.
“NUCLEIC ACIDS”
4. Ionizing radiation
- type of radiation occurs frequently as x-rays, gamma rays , or
highly energetic particles causing single- strand breaks and rupture
of H- bonds.
5. Chemical
- many chemicals like some inorganic air pollutants; organic
air pollutants; pollutants in food and some drugs may affect DNA
replication and protein synthesis.
6. Base Analogs
- these are substances similar to one of nitrogen bases which
can be incorporated into the DNA during replication. These base
analogs are 5- bromouracil and 5 – bromodeoxyuridine which are
analogs of thymine.
END
OF
REPORT!!
=)

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BIOCHEMISTRY

RNA is present both in nucleus and

The relationship of DNA and

Adenine Deoxyadenosine Deoxyadenelic acid

Thymine Thymidine Thymidylic acid

Guanine Deoxyguanosined Deoxyguanilic acid

The complement of Adenine (A) is Thymine (T)

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