nucleic acid (2024)

Anucleic acid is a long molecule made up of smaller molecules callednucleotides. Nucleic acids were discovered in 1868, when twenty-four-year-oldSwiss physician Friedrich Miescher isolated a new compound from the nuclei ofwhite blood cells. This compound was neither a protein nor lipid nor acarbohydrate; therefore, it was a novel type of biological molecule. Mieschernamed his discovery "nuclein," because he had isolated it from the nuclei ofcells. Today, his discovery is known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Alongwith DNA, the other major type of nucleic acid in cells is ribonucleic acid(RNA). Both are shown in the above image, in single stranded form. DNA at on the top, and differs from RNA by its inclusion of thymine (T, in red), whereas RNA differs from DNA by its inclusion of uracil (U, yellow).

Nucleic acids are macromolecules, which means they are molecules composed of manysmaller molecular units. Thes units are called nucleotides, and they are chemically linked to oneanother in a chain. In DNA, the nucleotides are referred to in shorthand as A, C, T, and G. In RNA, the nucleotides are A, C, U, and G. The order, or sequence, of the nucleotides in DNA allowsnucleic acid to encode an organism's genetic blueprint.

nucleic acid (2024)

FAQs

What are nucleic acids answers? ›

Nucleic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that serve as the primary information-carrying molecules in cells. They play an especially important role in directing protein synthesis. The two main classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What is a nucleic acid quizlet? ›

Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides. These are DNA, RNA and ATP.

What happens if your body doesn't get enough nucleic acids? ›

Answer and Explanation: If the human body were lacking nucleic acids, we would not be able to construct any DNA or RNA molecules. This has a huge significance in making the body incapable of cell division (as replication cannot occur) and protein production (as mRNA cannot be produced).

What information responses do nucleic acids store ___________? ›

The nucleic acid DNA stores the genetic information of a particular organism, whilethe nucleic acid RNA translates this genetic information into the synthesis of. proteins needed by cells for proper function and development.

What is in a nucleic acid? ›

Nucleic acids are biopolymers composed of a nitrogenous base (adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U)), that is connected to the 5-carbon sugar ring via an N-glycosidic bond, and 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester bond along the polymer backbone between each nucleotide (Figure 1) [2].

Is nucleic acid DNA or RNA? ›

The two main types of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. Both DNA and RNA are made from nucleotides, each containing a five-carbon sugar backbone, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base. DNA provides the code for the cell 's activities, while RNA converts that code into proteins to carry out cellular functions.

What are nucleotides quizlet? ›

What is a nucleotide? A nucleotide is one of the structural components, or building blocks, of DNA and RNA. A nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base (one of four chemicals: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) a molecule of sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) and a phosphate group.

What is the function of a nucleic acid quizizz? ›

What is one function of nucleic acids? Nucleic acids are used to break hydrogen bonds during transcription. Nucleic acids catalyze the reactions that occur during protein synthesis.

What foods are rich in nucleic acids? ›

Nucleic acids are found in all living things, including the foods you eat. Based on current research, meat, fish, seafood, legumes, and mushrooms contain the highest levels of these compounds.

Who needs nucleic acids? ›

Definition. Nucleic acids are large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses. A major function of nucleic acids involves the storage and expression of genomic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, encodes the information cells need to make proteins.

What diseases are caused by nucleic acids? ›

Changes in the level of nucleic acids in blood may be correlated with some clinical disorders like cancer, stroke, trauma and autoimmune diseases, and thus, nucleic acids can serve as potential biomarkers for pathological processes.

What is the main foundation of energy of living things? ›

Organisms mainly use the molecules glucose and ATP for energy. Glucose is a compact, stable form of energy that is carried in the blood and taken up by cells. ATP contains less energy and is used to power cell processes. The flow of energy through living things begins with photosynthesis, which creates glucose.

Which four elements are most commonly found in nucleic acids? ›

Nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CHON P).

What is the sugar in DNA called? ›

Deoxyribose is the sugar in the sugar-phosphate backbone of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

What are nucleic acids simple notes? ›

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses. A major function of nucleic acids involves the storage and expression of genomic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, encodes the information cells need to make proteins.

How are nucleic acids and proteins related answers? ›

Nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) are the factories that produce (express) genetic information in the form of amino acids. These amino acids are the building blocks of proteins that bring those genetic changes phenotypically.

Which of the following best defines nucleic acid? ›

The statement that best describes nucleic acids is that they are large nitrogen-containing polymers found mainly in cell nuclei, which is present in Option A. Nucleic acid includes both the DNA and the RNA, and in eukaryotes, these are found in the nucleus.

What elements are nucleic acids composed of? ›

Elements present in nucleic acid:
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Carbon ( C)
  • Phosphorous (P)
  • Hydrogen (H)

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