Chemistry · MU Sofia

15.1 Nucleic acids

Covers the building blocks of nucleic acids, namely the sugar, nitrogenous base and phosphate of each nucleotide, and the DNA and RNA differences in sugar and bases. It then walks through the four structural levels, with DNA's antiparallel double helix contrasted with RNA's usually single-stranded form, followed by denaturation triggered by heat, high pH and chemicals. The note also explains PCR's denaturation, annealing and elongation cycles, outlines Sanger sequencing, and closes with recombinant DNA and genomics.

Inside: 7 sections · 6 labelled pictures · 17 flashcards · 8 min

Topic 39 of 42 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Chemistry (Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 7 sections, about 1,204 words (8 min of reading), with 17 flashcards.

In this note

  1. Nucleic acids. Nucleotides - acid-base properties and tautomerism.
  2. Spatial characteristic of RNA and DNA - complementarity.
  3. DNA denaturation.
  4. Polymerase chain reaction.
  5. Sanger Sequencing: Cracking DNA's Code
  6. Recombinant technologies. Genomics.
  7. What is a genome?

Nucleic acids. Nucleotides - acid-base properties and tautomerism.

  • This is the most important drawing on this topic :

Nucleic Acids

  • Information Storage: Nucleic acids are the key players in storing genetic information and directing protein synthesis.
  • Two Main Types:
  • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid): The master blueprint for life.
  • RNA (Ribonucleic acid): Acts as a messenger and helper molecule for protein building.
  • Building Blocks: Both DNA and RNA are constructed from smaller units called nucleotides.
  • The ABCs of a Nucleotide:
  • A) Sugar: Each nucleotide contains a sugar molecule.
  • RNA: Uses ribose sugar.
  • DNA: Uses deoxyribose sugar (similar to ribose but lacking one oxygen atom).
  • B) Nitrogenous Base: Attached to the sugar is a nitrogenous base. These bases come in different types and are crucial for carrying genetic information.
  • RNA: Uses adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
  • DNA: Uses adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
  • C) Phosphate Group: A phosphate group completes the nucleotide structure. This group provides a chemical connection point for linking nucleotides together in the long chains of DNA and RNA.

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