Nucleic acids: Difference between revisions
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RNA and DNA are nucleic acids involved in [[Transcription]] and [[Translation]]. DNA is transcribed into a form of RNA called messenger RNA ([[MRNA]]), which is then translated into a [[Protein]]. Both of these nucleic acids differ slightly in terms of the sugar component and one of the bases in their structure. <ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 107-108</ref> | RNA and DNA are nucleic acids involved in [[Transcription]] and [[Translation]]. DNA is transcribed into a form of RNA called messenger RNA ([[MRNA]]), which is then translated into a [[Protein]]. Both of these nucleic acids differ slightly in terms of the sugar component and one of the bases in their structure. <ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 107-108</ref> | ||
=== DNA === | === DNA === | ||
===== Sugar ===== | ===== Sugar ===== | ||
The sugar which is part of the structure of DNA is deoxyribose, hence the name, deoxyribonucelic acid. The second carbon atom in the sugar does not have an oxygen atom which would usually be found on the second carbon of the sugar ribose.<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 108</ref> | The sugar which is part of the structure of DNA is deoxyribose, hence the name, deoxyribonucelic acid. The second carbon atom in the sugar does not have an oxygen atom which would usually be found on the second carbon of the sugar ribose.<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 108</ref> | ||
===== Bases ===== | ===== Bases ===== | ||
The four bases found in DNA are [[Adenine]], [[Guanine]] (derivatives of [[Purine]]), [[Cytosine]] and [[Thymine]] (derivatives of [[Pyrimidine]]).<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109</ref> | The four bases found in DNA are [[Adenine]], [[Guanine]] (derivatives of [[Purine]]), [[Cytosine]] and [[Thymine]] (derivatives of [[Pyrimidine]]).<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109</ref> | ||
=== RNA === | === RNA === | ||
===== Sugar ===== | ===== Sugar ===== | ||
Unlike DNA, the sugar which forms the part of the backbone for RNA is ribose. This contains a [[ | Unlike DNA, the sugar which forms the part of the backbone for RNA is ribose. This contains a [[Hydroxyl group]] on the second carbon atom, which is not present on deoxyribose.<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109</ref> | ||
===== Bases ===== | ===== Bases ===== | ||
Similarly to DNA, the four bases of RNA are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and a different base, [[Uracil]], which is a pyrimidine derivative.<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109</ref> | Similarly to DNA, the four bases of RNA are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and a different base, [[Uracil]], which is a pyrimidine derivative.<ref>Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109</ref><br> | ||
== References == | |||
References | |||
<references /><br> | <references /><br> | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 28 November 2011
A nucleic acid (such as DNA or RNA) are linear molecules found in the form of a polymer, and carry information which is able to be passed on from generation to generation. They are made up of Nucleotides that are linked together, which is composed of a sugar, a Phosphate and a base. This forms the backbone to the structure, whilst the bases carry the genetic information.[1]
RNA and DNA
RNA and DNA are nucleic acids involved in Transcription and Translation. DNA is transcribed into a form of RNA called messenger RNA (MRNA), which is then translated into a Protein. Both of these nucleic acids differ slightly in terms of the sugar component and one of the bases in their structure. [2]
DNA
Sugar
The sugar which is part of the structure of DNA is deoxyribose, hence the name, deoxyribonucelic acid. The second carbon atom in the sugar does not have an oxygen atom which would usually be found on the second carbon of the sugar ribose.[3]
Bases
The four bases found in DNA are Adenine, Guanine (derivatives of Purine), Cytosine and Thymine (derivatives of Pyrimidine).[4]
RNA
Sugar
Unlike DNA, the sugar which forms the part of the backbone for RNA is ribose. This contains a Hydroxyl group on the second carbon atom, which is not present on deoxyribose.[5]
Bases
Similarly to DNA, the four bases of RNA are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and a different base, Uracil, which is a pyrimidine derivative.[6]
References
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 107
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 107-108
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 108
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109
- ↑ Berg J.M, Tymoczko J.L, Stryer L (2007) Biochemistry Sixth Edition: 109