Nucleic Acids

1
Nucleic Acids

• DNA deoxyribonucleic acid found in cells
  (except for rbc) contain genetic information in
  segments called genes DNA is a blueprint for
  an organism. One gene codes for one protein.
• RNA ribonucleic acid also found in cells
  (except for rbc) responsible for transmitting
  and expressing the genetic information of DNA by
  translating DNA into proteins. The proteins are
  the doers.
• Structure of Nucleic Acids
• Nucleoside
• A 5 membered cyclic sugar unit cyclic nitrogen
  containing base (pyrimidine and purine bases)

2
Nucleic Acids

• Naming nucleosides
• Prefix deoxy- if sugar is deoxyribose
• No prefix if sugar is ribose
• Base name ending, osine (for purines)
• Base name ending, idine (for pyrimidines)
• Naming nucleotides
• Name nucleoside monophosphate, diphosphate or
  triphosphate

3
Nucleic Acids

• Polynucleotides The OH of C-3 forms a
  phosphate diester linkage with the phosphate of
  C-5. The free phosphate group is the 5 end
  the free OH group is the 3 end.
• Just as the amino acid order is important in
  proteins, the order of the nucleotides in nucleic
  acids is significant 3 TAG 5 is not the same
  as 3 GAT 5!