What is Nucleic Acid?
Nucleic acids are natural polymers that are produced by cells of living organisms. It is crucial to all known forms of being as they are the chief information-carrying molecules of cells. Nucleic Acids are made up of nucleotides, a monomer composed of a 5-carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.
By supervising the process of protein synthesis, these biopolymers specify the inherited peculiarities of living beings.
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Now that you know what nucleic acid is and what nucleic acids are made up of, it should be noted that there are two main groups of nucleic acids. One is ribonucleic acid, better known as RNA, and the other is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
RNA constitutes the genetic substance of certain viruses and is also found in living cells, playing a substantial part in specific processes such as preparing proteins. There are three established types of RNA, also known to be examples of nucleic acids. In contrast, DNA is the blueprint for being. Thus, it constitutes the genetic substance in all free-living organisms and most viruses.
Nucleotides: The Elementary Unit of Nucleic Acid
Properties of Nucleic Acid
Now that you know what is nucleic acid, let's take a look at the nucleic acid structure. The basic nucleic acid structure is similar to a chain of molecules composed of identical series of nucleotides. Single nucleotide, the base property of nucleic acid, comprises a nitrogen-containing fragrant base affixed to a five-carbon sugar connected to a phosphate group.
Every nucleic acid encompasses four of five possible nitrogen-containing bases, which are, uracil (U), adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Among these nitrogen-containing bases, C, U, and T are classified as pyrimidines and A and G are classified as purines. An artificially synthesised polymer is also named Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA), similar to DNA or RNA. Peptide Nucleic Acid might be similar to DNA and RNA. Its function varies from that of both.
Generally, all nucleic acids contain the bases G, A, and C. But T is specifically found in DNA while U is in RNA.
Two Types of Nucleic Acids
There are two types of nucleic acids, which are given in the following.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a form of nucleic acid that contains the genetic substance employed for the growth and functioning of all inferred living organisms. Deoxyribonucleic acid is a polymer of four nucleotides, C, T, A, and G integrated through a backbone of alternating phosphate and deoxyribose sugar remnants.
As restricted by their capacity to form hydrogen bonds between them, these nitrogen-containing bases occur in complementary pairs. A invariably pairs with T through two hydrogen bonds, while G pairs with C through three hydrogen bonds.
Since the span of both the hydrogen-bonded pairs is almost identical, the sugar-phosphate chains are uniformly bridged. This layout, along with the molecule's chemical stability, stimulates DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as the exemplary genetic material. Moreover, the bonding between the complementary bases procures a mechanism for the reproduction of DNA and the transmission of genetic information.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid that converts genetic input from genes into amino acid sequences of proteins. Ribonucleic acid is a polymer of four nucleotides, G, A, U, and C, integrated through a backbone of alternating phosphate and ribose sugar remnants.
Ribonucleic acid is the first mediator in converting the information from Deoxyribonucleic acid into proteins essential for a cell's working. Few RNAs also perform immediate roles in cellular metabolism.
RNA is produced by cloning the base sequence of a part of double-stranded DNA, called a gene, into a piece of single-stranded nucleic acid. This means transcription is catalysed by an enzyme called RNA polymerase.
There are Three Established Types of RNA:
Transfer RNA (tRNA): Works as the transmitter molecule for amino acids to be employed in protein synthesis and is accountable for decoding the mRNA.
Messenger RNA (mRNA): Transfers genetic sequence data between DNA and ribosomes, regulating protein synthesis and carrying directions from DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in the nucleus to the ribosome.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Studies the Deoxyribonucleic acid sequence and catalyses peptide bond formation.
Difference Between DNA and RNA
Despite both being used to store genetic information, both examples of nucleic acids are different from one another. This table summa the primary points:
Functional Nucleic Acids (FNAs)
Functional nucleic acids are a group of biomolecules that can exhibit either ligand binding or enzymatic activity. Functional nucleic acid-based biosensors are emerging methods that can regulate ions and metabolites in cell populations or whole animals.
Did You Know?
Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides and can steer the course of protein synthesis, therefore regulating all cell activities.
tRNA, mRNA, rRNA are prominent examples of nucleic acids.
Over the evolution process, humans have lost over 500 DNA codes.
DNA tests could help you comprehend your risk for heritable diseases.
The two types of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, are composed of nearly similar material but differ in function and structure.
Around 9% of our DNA is the same as other humans.
Around 5% weight of a human cell is RNA, while only 1% consists of DNA.
RNA is utilised in some cancer gene therapies to lessen the articulation of cancer-causing genes.
An artificially synthesised polymer named Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) is similar to DNA or RNA.
FAQs on Nucleic Acids
1. What is a nucleic acid and what is its primary function in living organisms?
A nucleic acid is a large biomolecule, or biopolymer, essential for all known forms of life. The two main types are Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). Their primary function is to carry and transmit genetic information, which directs the synthesis of proteins and governs all cellular activities.
2. What are the three components that make up a nucleotide, the monomer of nucleic acids?
A nucleotide, the basic building block of nucleic acids, consists of three distinct parts:
- A pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA).
- A phosphate group, which links the sugars together to form the nucleic acid backbone.
- A nitrogenous base, which contains the genetic code. The bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) instead of Thymine in RNA.
3. What are the main types of nucleic acids and where are they typically located within a eukaryotic cell?
The two main types of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. In a eukaryotic cell:
- DNA is primarily found inside the nucleus, where it is organised into chromosomes. A small amount of DNA is also present in the mitochondria.
- RNA is synthesised in the nucleus but performs its functions mostly in the cytoplasm. Messenger RNA (mRNA), Transfer RNA (tRNA), and Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) are all active in the cytoplasm.
4. How do the structural differences between DNA and RNA relate to their distinct functions in the cell?
The structural differences are key to their roles. DNA's double-helix structure and deoxyribose sugar make it chemically stable and resistant to degradation, which is perfect for its function as a long-term, secure storage for genetic blueprints. In contrast, RNA is typically single-stranded and has a ribose sugar, making it more flexible and reactive. This transient nature is ideal for its short-term roles, such as carrying genetic messages (mRNA) from the nucleus to the ribosome for immediate use in protein synthesis.
5. What are the specific roles of the three main types of RNA in the process of protein synthesis?
The three main types of RNA work together to build proteins:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) acts as a temporary copy of a gene. It carries the genetic instructions from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA) functions as an adapter molecule. It reads the code on the mRNA and brings the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome to be added to the growing protein chain.
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a major structural and catalytic component of ribosomes, the cellular machinery where protein synthesis actually occurs.
6. Why is the precise sequence of nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule so important?
The sequence of nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G) in DNA forms the genetic code. This code is read in three-letter 'words' called codons. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid, the building block of proteins. Therefore, the base sequence directly dictates the amino acid sequence of a protein, which in turn determines that protein's structure and function. Even a small change in the DNA sequence, a mutation, can alter a protein and significantly impact an organism's traits or health.
7. Since we eat plants and animals, does the DNA from our food get incorporated into our own genetic code?
No, the DNA from the food you eat does not get incorporated into your own genetic code. During digestion, large biomolecules like nucleic acids are broken down into their simplest components. DNA and RNA are digested into individual nucleotides. Your body then absorbs these basic building blocks and uses them to synthesise its own unique DNA and RNA as needed. The genetic information from the food source is completely dismantled in this process.
