2.1 Nucleis Acids

Apuntes

• Nucleic Acids **Definition:** Macromolecules formed by the union of simpler molecules called nucleotides, which contain genetic information and control protein synthesis. **Types of Nucleic Acids:** DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). **Structure of Nucleotides:** - **Pentose:** - A sugar with five carbon atoms. - Types: Ribose (found in ribonucleotides) and deoxyribose (found in deoxyribonucleotides). - **Nitrogenous Base:** - Types: Derived from purine (A and G) or pyrimidine (C, T, and U). - **Phosphate Group:** - H₃PO₄. **Nucleotide Types in RNA and DNA:** | RNA Nucleotide | DNA Nucleotide | |-----------------|----------------| | Adenine | Adenine | | Cytosine | Cytosine | | Guanine | Guanine | | Uracil | Thymine | **Function of Nucleotides:** - Formation of nucleic acids. - Other important functions for living organisms. **Formation of Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA):** - **Phosphodiester Bond:** - Covalent bond between a phosphate group of one nucleotide and the pentose sugar of another, forming chains or strands of: H₃PO₄ – pentose – H₃P...