Either of two types of macromolecule (DNA or RNA) formed by polymerization of nucleotides. Nucleic acids are found in all living cells and contain the information (genetic code) for the transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next.
Polymers of purine and pyrimidine sugar phosphates; two main classes: ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA);.
A complex compound which on hydrolysis yields phosphoric acid, sugars, and one or more bases.
A nucleotide polymer. A large, chain-like molecule containing phosphate groups, sugar groups, and purine and pyrimidine bases; two types are ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The bases involved are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine (uracil in RNA).
Complex, high-molecular-weight molecules that contain phosphate, ribose, and four bases: (a) adenine, (b) guanine, (c) cytosine, and (d) thymine.
An organic acid of a type found in all living cells, which consists of complex nucleotide chains which pass on genetic information, e.g. DNA or RNA.
Chains of nucleotides whose function is to store and transmit the genetic information from one generation to the next. A nucleotide contains a ribose, one to three phosphate groups, and either a purine (adenine or guanine) or a pyrimidine (cytosine, uracil, or thymine).
Compound composed of nucleotides, each of which is made up of a phosphate group, a ribose or deoxyribose sugar, and a purine or pyrimidine base. Nucleic acids are involved in the determination of hereditary characteristics and in energy storage.
Chemicals that carry genetic information in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Chemical compounds, found in all living cells, that are responsible for the transmission of hereditary characteristics.
Either of two organic acids, DNA or RNA, present in the nucleus and in some cases the cytoplasm of all living cells. Their main functions are in heredity and protein synthesis.
A substance constructed out of units known as nucleotides which consist of a purine or pyrimidine base linked to a pentose sugar, which in turn is esterified with phosphoric acid. Two types of nucleic acid occur in nature: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Any one of a group of high-molecular-weight chemicals that carry the genetic information crucial to the replication of cells and the manufacturing of cellular proteins. They have a complex structure formed of sugars (pentoses), phosphoric acid, and nitrogen bases (purines and pyrimidines). Most important are ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
A specific class of compounds that serves as building blocks for DNA is referred to as nucleotides. DNA contains four types of nucleic acids, namely adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.
DNA and RNA are cellular molecules that function as encoded directives for protein synthesis and are replicated to transmit hereditary characteristics.
A substance found in all living matter that has a fundamental role in the propagation of life. Nucleic acids provide the inherited coded instructions (or “blueprint”) for an organism’s development; they also provide apparatus by which these instructions are carried out.
Two categories of nucleic acid exist: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Within all animal and plant cells, including those of humans, DNA perpetually harbors the encoded instructions, initially transcribed and subsequently executed by RNA. DNA forms the primary component of chromosomes, which reside within the cell’s nucleus.
DNA and RNA share a resemblance in structure, each composed of lengthy, chain-like molecules. Nevertheless, DNA commonly comprises two interwoven strands, whereas RNA typically exists as a single strand.
The fundamental arrangement of DNA resembles a ladder made of rope; the chains constitute the two sides, while interconnected structures in the middle create the steps. This ladder coils into a spiral form known as a double helix.
Each DNA strand possesses a “backbone” comprised of a series of sugar and phosphate chemical groups. Affixed to each sugar molecule is a chemical unit called a base, which can be one of four types (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine), forming half of a step in the DNA ladder. These four bases can be arranged in any order along the strand. This sequence, often spanning millions of individual bases, serves as the blueprint for the cell’s activities (referred to as the genetic code). Due to specific pairings known as base pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine), which compose each rung of the ladder, the sequence of bases on one strand dictates the sequence on the other. This principle holds vital importance for the replication of DNA molecules during cell division.
RNA resembles a solitary strand of DNA; the primary distinction lies in the substitution of the base thymine with another base called uracil, and the sugar and phosphate chain exhibiting slight chemical dissimilarities.
DNA manages a cell’s operations by detailing and overseeing the creation of enzymes (substances that facilitate biochemical reactions) and additional proteins within the cell. Distinct genes (segments of DNA) manage the generation of various proteins. To produce a specific protein, a suitable DNA segment functions as a pattern for an RNA chain. This “messenger” RNA subsequently exits the nucleus and enters the cellular cytoplasm (a dense fluid composing the majority of the cell), where it is deciphered to construct proteins.
During the process of mitotic division in a cell, the task of delivering identical copies of its DNA to both of its offspring cells is crucial. The arrangement of DNA facilitates this procedure. Commencing at one end of the molecule, the two chains separate or “unzip.” Concurrently, two additional chains are crafted (alongside the original chains) through the connection of unlinked nucleotides that are freely available within cells. As only specific base pairings are feasible, the freshly formed double chains replicate the original DNA structure precisely. Consequently, a dividing cell bequeaths an exact replica of its DNA to its descendant cells. Every cell within an individual harbors the same DNA duplicate present in the initial fertilized egg, enabling the transmission of the DNA code from one generation of cells to the subsequent one.