This document describes nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA, and ATP. It explains that DNA contains the genetic code and is found in cell nuclei, RNA relays instructions from DNA to guide protein assembly, and ATP provides short-term energy storage. The structure of nucleotides, DNA's double helix structure formed via base pairing, and RNA's single-stranded structure are also summarized.

1. Objec&ve 2.12: Nucleic Acids
• Iden&fy the monomers
and polymers.
• Compare and contrast
general molecular
structure.
• Provide specific examples.
• Discuss physiological and
structural roles in the
human body.

2. 4. Nucleic Acids: DNA, RNA, ATP
• Nucleic acids are HUGE organic molecules that contain
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
1. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
– forms the gene&c code inside each cell
– Blueprints for building proteins, found in nucleus of cell
2. Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
– relays instruc&ons from the genes in the cell’s nucleus to
guide each cell’s assembly of amino acids into proteins by
the ribosomes.
3. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
– Immediate energy storage, short term, instantly usable

3. Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
• DNA contains the complete gene&c informa&on that
defines the structure and func&on of an organism.
• Proteins are formed using the gene&c code of the DNA.
• Transcrip&on : a DNA segment that cons&tutes a gene is
read and transcribed into a single stranded sequence of
RNA. The RNA moves from the nucleus into the cytoplasm.
• Transla&on : the RNA sequence is translated into a
sequence of amino acids as the protein is formed. During
transla&on, the ribosome reads three bases (a codon) at a
&me from the RNA and translates them into one amino acid
• See this topic again in CH 3

4. DNA & RNA Structure
• A molecule of DNA or RNA is a
chain of nucleo&des.
• A nucleo&de includes:
– nitrogenous base (A‐G‐T‐C)
– pentose sugar
– phosphate group

5. Nitrogenous
Bases
• DNA: • RNA:
– adenine – adenine
– thymine – uracil
(NOT the vitamin thiamin) – cytosine
– cytosine – guanine
– guanine

6. DNA Structure
• DNA sequence is a long strand of nucleo&des
that are covalently bound between two sugar
molecules
• Double helix – two strands that form via
hydrogen bonds between base pairs
• Base pairs: adenine pairs with thymine
cytosine pairs with guanine

7. Anti-parallel
Complementary

8. RNA Structure
• Differs from DNA
– single stranded
– ribose sugar not deoxyribose sugar
– uracil nitrogenous base replaces thymine
• Types of RNA within the cell, each with a
specific func&on
– messenger RNA: template for protein
– ribosomal RNA: cataly&c
– transfer RNA: ferry amino acids

9. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
• Temporary molecular storage of energy as it is being
transferred from exergonic catabolic reac&ons to
cellular ac&vi&es
– muscle contrac&on, transport of substances across cell
membranes, movement of structures within cells and
movement of organelles
• Consists of 3 phosphate
groups aZached to
adenine & 5‐carbon
sugar (ribose)