Nucleic Acid ​
Tags
Cegep1
Biology
Word count
135 words
Reading time
1 minute
Polymer of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds
A.k.a. polynucleotide
Formed by dehydration
Function: stores & transmits hereditable information
Types ​
Deoxyribonucleic acid ​
Abbr. DNA
Two strands in antiparallel (one from 3' to 5', the other from 5' to 3'), whose N-bases are held together by H-bonds
Pentose: deoxyribose
N-bases: C-G (triple H-bonds) & A-T (double H-bonds)
Functions:
- Makes up chromosomes and genes
- Directs its own synthesis through replication
- Directs the synthesis of RNA through transcription
Ribonucleic acid ​
Abbr. RNA
One strand
Pentose: ribose
N-bases: C-G & A-U pairs
Messenger ​
Abbr. mRNA
Directs protein synthesis through translation
Transfer ​
Abbr. tRNA
Acts as a delivery vehicle during protein synthesis
Ribosomal ​
Abbr. rRNA
Makes up the structure of the ribosome
Ajitani Hifumi