Nucleic acids are large polymers formed by linking nucleotides together and are found in every cell. Examples of nucleic acids are DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), carry genetic information which is read in cells to make the RNA and proteins by which living things function. All nucleotides are made of three subunits: one or more phosphate groups, a pentose sugar (five-carbon sugar, either deoxyribose or ribose), and a nitrogen-containing base (either adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, or uracil). This short video describes the structure and function of nucleic acids. Adenine pairs with thymine (A=T), while guanine pairs with cytosine (G≡C). A nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base which could be either purine or pyrimidine. If all the DNA in a typical mammalian cell were stretched out end to end, it would extend more than 2 m. These bases and their arrangement in the molecules of DNA play an important role in the storage of information from one generation to the next one. Functions of nucleic acids DNA is the genetic material carrying hereditary information. Nucleic acids are made up of the elements carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphorous. DNA … In order to study the structure of nucleic acid, it is essential to study the structure of its monomer. Later, it was shown that the major constituents of nucleic acids are sugars, phosphate groups, and the characteristic purine and pyrimidine bases. There are two purine bases-Adenine (A) and Guanine (G) whereas pyrimidines are of three types- Thymine (T), cytosine (C) and Uracil (U). If we imagine the structure of DNA in the form of a staircase model, the complementary base pairs will form the stairs and the sugar-phosphate backbone will form the stair railings. The heterocyclic bases present in RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine(C) and uracil (U). A study of the structure and function of nucleic acids is needed to be able to understand how information controlling the characteristics of an organism is stored in the form of genes in a cell and how these genes are transmitted to future generations of offspring. RNA is also essential for protein synthesis. The nitrogenous bases in RNA are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Uracil (U). A nucleic acid is a chain of nucleotides which stores genetic information in biological systems. DNA has a double-strand helical structure in which the strands are complementary to each other. Mutations in DNA help organisms evolve and adapt to changing conditions. Nucleic acids are large molecules that carry tons of small details: all the genetic information. Nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), carry genetic information which is read in cells to make the RNA and proteins by which living things function. Nucleic acids are macromolecules that store genetic information and enable protein production. There are two types of nucleic acid and they are DNA and RNA. These large molecules are called nucleic acids because they were first identified inside the nucleus of cells, however, they are also found in mitochondria and chloroplasts as well as bacteria and viruses. Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA. Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” buttonCheck your score and answers at the end of the quiz, Visit BYJU’S for all Chemistry related queries and study materials, Your email address will not be published. Nucleic Acid functions and examples Storage and transmission of genetic code (DNA/RNA) Processing genetic info (ribozymes) Protein synthesis (tRNA and rRNA) Your email address will not be published. For more information on nucleic acids, visit BYJU’S. You will learn much more about nucleic acids in a future unit of study, so this section will be brief. Nucleic acids, and DNA in particular, are key macromolecules for the continuity of life. The well-known structure of the DNA double helix allows this information to be copied and passed on to the next generation. When a virus finds a host cell, the nucleic acid is injected into the host cell. The structure of nucleic acids such as DNA consists of a long polymer of nucleotides connected by phosphodiester bonds. By the process of transcription, it gives rise to RNA, which in turn contains the code for the synthesis of proteins. This structure of nucleic acid contains a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base. The cyclic bases that have nitrogen in them are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine(C) and thymine (T). Nucleic acids play an important role in all biological processes related to genetic information such as replication, transcription, translation, repair, and recombination. The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).DNA is the genetic material found in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled … 5 Mutations of Nucleic Acids While nucleic acids can do so much good for the body, mutation can result in debilitating or life threatening diseases. Nucleic acids are the biopolymers, or large biomolecules, essential to all known forms of life.The term nucleic acid is the overall name for DNA and RNA. The viral nucleic acid invades the nucleus and instructs the cell to make proteins which are assembled to produce further virus cell. By the process of transcription, it gives rise to RNA, which in turn contains the code for the synthesis of proteins. 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