Cell Biolo

Notes

Cell Biology: Nucleic Acids and Cell Division •Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are organic biomolecules with two main functions: storing coded instructions for a cell's characteristics through protein synthesis and acting as units of inheritance by passing genetic information across generations. The central dogma of molecular biology describes this flow: DNA → RNA → Protein. •Types of Nucleic Acids DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) serves as the "master copy" of genetic instructions and acts as a template for making copies, functioning as the unit of inheritance. RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) acts as a temporary copy of specific DNA instructions and is used for producing proteins that execute genetic instructions. Some viruses contain only RNA, but viruses are not considered living organisms. •Nucleotides Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are composed of monomers called nucleotides. Each nucleotide includes a pentose (5-carbon) sugar, a phosphate group (PO4^3−), and a nitrogenous base (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine/Uracil). The sugar's carbon atoms are numbered 1' to 5' clockwise, with the nitrogenous base attaching to the 1'-carbon and the phosphate to the 5'-carbon. •Nitrogenous Bases Nuc...