Molecular Biology
DNA, RNA & Chromosomes
Nucleic Acids
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Macromolecules made up of chains of monomeric nucleotides
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Located within cells & form structures
Structural Units
Nucleotide: basic unit
Nitrogenous Base + Sugar + Phosphate
Nucleoside:
Nitrogenous Base + Sugar

DNA vs. RNA
Based on different pentose & nitrogenous base, nucleic acids either all into DNA or RNA.
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The information in DNA & RNA is encoded in the order of the bases
DNA
DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acids:
The genetic material
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Contains all the information to direct every cellular process
Made up of:
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Pentose sugar- (Hydrogen at 2' Carbon- Deoxyribose)
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Nitrogenous Base (A,T,C,G)
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Phosphate group


RNA
RNA or Ribonucleic Acids
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Participates in several cellular processes involved in the information transfer from the DNA to protein synthesis
Made up of:
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Pentose sugar (Hydroxyl group at 2' Carbon- Ribose)
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Nitrogenous base (A,U,C,G)
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Phosphate group


Types of RNA:
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Messenger RNA (mRNA)
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the template of the DNA carries information from DNA to ribosomes
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Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
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Involved in protein synthesis
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Transfer RNA (tRNA)
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Involved in protein synthesis
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