Nucleic acids

Definition

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules essential for all known forms of life, composed of long chains of nucleotide units. They serve as the primary information carriers in biological systems, encoding the genetic instructions necessary for the growth, development, and functioning of organisms. Nucleic acids come in two main forms: DNA, which stores genetic information, and RNA, which plays a crucial role in translating that information into proteins.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nucleic acids are vital for storing and transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next.
2. DNA is primarily located in the cell nucleus, while RNA is found throughout the cell, including the cytoplasm and ribosomes.
3. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins, thereby dictating protein structure and function.
4. Different types of RNA play specific roles; for example, messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
5. Nucleic acids can undergo mutations, which can lead to changes in protein function and potentially contribute to diseases.

Review Questions

• How do nucleic acids interact with proteins in cellular functions?
  • Nucleic acids interact with proteins through processes like transcription and translation. During transcription, DNA is used as a template to synthesize messenger RNA (mRNA), which then carries the genetic code to ribosomes. Here, transfer RNA (tRNA) helps decode the mRNA sequence into a chain of amino acids to form proteins. This relationship is fundamental as proteins are essential for carrying out various cellular functions, while nucleic acids provide the instructions needed to create them.
• Discuss how mutations in nucleic acids can affect protein synthesis and cellular functions.
  • Mutations in nucleic acids can lead to changes in the DNA sequence that may alter the resulting mRNA during transcription. If these mutations affect codons in mRNA, they can result in the incorporation of incorrect amino acids during translation, potentially producing nonfunctional or malfunctioning proteins. This disruption can impair cellular functions and may lead to various diseases or disorders by affecting critical biological processes like metabolism or cell division.
• Evaluate the significance of understanding nucleic acid structures and functions in modern drug design.
  • Understanding the structures and functions of nucleic acids is crucial in modern drug design because many therapeutic strategies target these biomolecules directly. For instance, drugs can be developed to inhibit specific RNA sequences associated with diseases or to correct faulty genetic information in DNA. Additionally, structure-based drug design allows researchers to create molecules that can specifically interact with nucleic acid structures at a molecular level, enhancing the efficacy of treatments for genetic disorders or cancers by precisely targeting their molecular underpinnings.

Related terms

Nucleotides:

The basic building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar molecule, and one or more phosphate groups.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): A type of nucleic acid that carries the genetic blueprint for an organism, structured as a double helix formed by complementary base pairing.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.