Importance of nucleic acids

Answer 1

The two types of nucleic acids, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) and RNA (ribonucleic acids), are in the cells of all living things. They pass genetic information from one generation to the next and initiate the manufacture of certain proteins necessary for life. Scientists continue to research other aspects of the nucleic acids.

Answer 2

Nucleic acids carry genetic information within their structure. All living things have some form of nucleic acids, which allow for the translation of proteins in order to carry out important functions of the cell.

1. Structure

   • Nucleic acids are large macromolecules composed of smaller nucleotides. These nucleotides are made up of two backbones that alternate between sugar groups and phosphate molecules (the phosphate makes it slightly acidic). Extending from both sides of these sugar groups are two nucleotide bases that bond to each other. These bonding patterns give rise to the double helix shape that we are familiar with.

   DNA

   • Deoxyribonucleic acid is the most common form. Its base pairs are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). There are small differences between them. For instance, A and G have a double ring structure, which allows them to bind to a single ring structure. A binds with T, and G binds with C. When DNA is replicated, its structure unwinds, splitting the hydrogen bonds of the bases in half. Complimentary bases are then formed. This is similar in concept to the way in which DNA is read.

   RNA

   • Another kind of nucleic acid is ribonucleic acid, which is similar in structure to DNA but instead supplements uracil (U) for thymine. RNA is used exclusively in viruses and perhaps even the earliest forms of life, but in most modern life RNA has another critical function. It translates genetic information to proteins, which help facilitate important functions of the cell.

   Transcription

   • When a protein needs to be made, it begins with transcription. The first step occurs when an enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to what is known as a promoter in the DNA. When the DNA unwinds, the RNA polymerase then reads along the DNA and creates a single strand of RNA. Reading G will create C on the RNA and vice versa. T will also create A, but A will create U. In the end, it works just as well. RNA polymerase is controlled by start and stop codes in the DNA. When it is finished, RNA polymerase modifies the RNA strand to create a unique sequence with caps on them.

   Translation

   • The new strand of RNA, now called messenger RNA, binds to a complex called a ribosome. Another type of RNA, called transfer RNA, then attempts to match up with every three nucleotide bases (a codon) of the mRNA. For instance, a codon of AUG will match up with UAC on the tRNA. Every tRNA is carrying a specific amino acid. There are 64 codons but only 20 amino acids, so some code for multiple amino acids. When the amino acids are lined up using the RNA code, they form a protein, which is shipped off to another part of the cell to do its function. Some proteins can be hundreds of amino acids long.

Answer 3

The nucleic acids contain the coded instructions that tell the cell how to make the various proteins it needs to live and ultimately define the type of organism the cell is and its behaviour. They are also copied and passed on to the next generation when the cell replicates, allowing that species to reproduce, survive on into the future, and undergo the process of evolution (as the nucleic acids are able to be modified in a variety of ways and selection processes can adjust the frequency of different codes in the nucleic acids as individuals in the population die at different rates).

Answer 4

Nucleic acids are important because they carry the genetic code for the make up all organisms.

Answer 5

They transfer genetic information.