What is DNA?

-In DNA, there is a repeated pattern of a sugar group and a phosphate group - the full name is deoxyribonucleic acid - the name gives you the sugar present deoxyribose -deoxyribose is a modified form of a sugar called ribose - ribose is the sugar backbone in ribonucleic acid - a phosphate group is attached to the sugar molecule in place of the OH group on the 5 carbon. -The final piece of the DNA is the nitrogenous bases in DNA, they are cytosine, thymine, adenine and guanine. -these bases are attached in place of the OH group on the 1 carbon atom in the sugar ring -at this point, what you have is a nucleotide - a DNA strand is simply a string of nucleotides joined together - the phosphate group on the nucleotide links to the 3 carbon atom on the sugar of another one, in this process a molecule of water is lost (condensation reaction) - the DNA strands that then form chains, link together due to the nitrogenous bases. - the hydrogen bonds between the A&T, and G&C hold the chains together and are very strong. -the two chains run in opposite directions one running from 5 to 3, the other running 3 to 5 - in a dna strand, the order of the nitrogenous bases, codes for genetic material What is RNA? -formed similarly to DNA -exist as a single strand -hairpin is a common secondary/tertiary structure -backbone is comprised of alternating ribose and phosphate groups -side chains in RNA are A,C,G and U -serves as a temporary copy of genes that is used for protein synthesis -functions as adaptor molecules that decode genetic code -catalyzes the synthesis of proteins -several types of RNA tRNA, mRNA, rRNA tRNA- adapter molecule composed of RNA, typically 73-93 nucleotides in length used to bridge the code in mRNA with the twenty letter code of amino acids in proteins. Referred to as transfer RNA. Delivers amino acids to ribosomes during translation in order specified by mRNA mRNA-messenger RNA- carries protein building information for replication purposes rRNA- ribosomal RNA becomes a part of ribosomes

Similarities and differences: DNA Contains the sugar deoxyribose (which

RNA Contains the sugar ribose (which contains 1

contains two hydrogens on the 2 carbon) Nitrogenous Bases: A,C,T,G Medium of long-term storage and transmission of genetic information

Typically a double-stranded molecule with a long chain of nucleotides Deoxyribose in DNA is less reactive because of the C-H bonds and is stable in alkaline conditions. Found in Nucleus

hydrogen and 1 hydroxide on the 2 carbon) Nitrogenous bases: A,C,U,G Main job is to transfer genetic code needed for creation of proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome this process prevents DNA from having to leave the nucleus so it stays safe. Without RNA, proteins couldnt be made A single-stranded molecule in most of its biological roles and has a shorter chain of nucleotides More reactive, because of the hydroxyl (COH) bonds. Not stable in alkaline conditions Found in Nucleus and cytoplasm