Essential Question

What are the features of DNA and RNA?

Lesson Headings

1 What are nucleic acids?
2 What is the structure & function of DNA?
3 What is the structure & function of RNA?

What are nucleic acids?

• Nucleic acids are a class of macromolecules that store and transmit hereditary (genetic) information.

• The monomer of nucleic acids are nucleotides.

• Nucleotides are made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and nitrogen base.

• Nucleic acids provide instructions for making proteins.

What are nucleic acids?

• There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA.

What is the structure & function of DNA?

• DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.

• DNA is double stranded and looks like a twisted ladder.

• DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell.

• The nucleotide of DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose.

• Bases can join together in any order.

What is the structure & function of DNA?

• DNA uses 4 kinds of bases:

  • adenine (A),

  • guanine (G),

  • cytosine (C), and

  • thymine (T).

• Adenine always pairs with thymine.

• Cytosine always pairs with guanine.

What is the structure & function of RNA?

• RNA stands for ribonucleic acid.

• RNA is single stranded.

• RNA transfers genetic information. It copies and moves the message from the DNA.

• RNA contains the sugar ribose.

What is the structure & function of RNA?

• RNA contains the bases:

  • adenine (A)

  • cytosine (C),

  • guanine (G), and

  • uracil (U).

• In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil and cytosine pairs with guanine.

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