Nucleic Acids Steven Wang, Patrick San Juan, Coco Lau, Derek Ng

Nucleic Acid

• Nucleic Acids are macromolecules that are found in every living things; plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and fungus. They are very essential for all the living things.

Functions of Nucleic Acid

• Two types:– Deoxyribonucleic Acid = DNA

• Stores genetic information– Ribonucleic Acid = RNA

• Transmits genetic information to protein synthesizer

• Functions:– Transfer genetic information to next generation– Store and transmit genetic information to direct the

synthesis of various proteins

Monomers (Nucleotides)The Tiniest Part

• Three parts:– Nitrogenous Base (Adenine, thymine, Cytosine,

Guanine, Uracil [RNA])– A Five Carbon Sugar - Attached to Nitrogenous Base– Phosphate Group - Attached to 5 Carbon Sugar

(Phosphate and Sugar make rungs of the DNA)

• Pairing of Nitrogen Base:– Adenine = Thymine– Cytosine = Guanine 

Diagrams of Nucleotides / Monomers

http://katienelson4b.edublogs.org/files/2011/11/nucleotide-1p9gib5.jpg

http://www.scfbio-iitd.res.in/image/nucleotide.jpg

ATP Structure

• The purine base adenine and the sugar ribose make up ATP, forming the nucleosideadenosine.

• Phosphates = high-energy molecules. • In removal of phosphate groups, high levels of

energy are released• High energy content is not because of presence of

phosphate bond but total interaction of all atoms within the ATP molecule.

ATP Structure

• Little energy is lost when phosphate bond is broken because energy released is close to the needed amount of energy by a typical biological reaction.

• Reaction releases a large amount of energy. Therefore, the organism may use it to build proteins, etc.

• ATP is connected to another reaction.• A process called coupling in which two reactions

occur at the same time, same place, thus, using the same enzyme complex. 

ATP Structure

• ATP is not unstable, but if there is no catalyst, the hydrolysis is slow

• Created so stored energy is released only in the presence of a certain catalyst

• ATP is a storehouse of energy, produced by one set of reactions while being immediately consumed by another reaction.

• When it is needed, ATP is constructed by the mitochondria of oxidative processes. 

ATP Structure

2D stick model of adenosine phosphate family of molecules

Citations

Bailey, Regina. "Nucleic Acids." n.d. About.com. Web. 26 Sept. 2012.

Bergman, Jerry. “ATP: The Perfect Energy Currency for the Cell.” 1999. Online Image. The True.Origin Archive. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.

Bergman, Jerry. “Fig2: ATP Structure.” 1999. Online Image. The True.Origin Archive. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.

"DNA Replication Lab." 30 Nov 2011. Edublogs. Web. 26 Sept 2012.

Kimball W. John. “Nucleotides” 24 Feb. 2012. Users. Rcn. Web. 25 Sept. 2012.

Nave Carl. “Adenosine Triphosphate”. N.d. hyperphysics.com. Web. 28 Sept. 2012.

“Nucleotides.” 6 Nov. 2008. Biology Online. Web. 25 Sept. 2012.

Rogers, Gabriela. "Biology Blog." n.d. Biology Blog. Web. 26 Sept 2012."The Nucleic Acids." n.d. Chem4Kids. Web, 26 Sept. 2012.