Zosa, Princess Johnnina T.

October 15, 2019

BS PSYCH 2C

1.) Differentiate DNA and RNA by:

a.) Bases

The nitrogen bases in DNA are the basic units of genetic code, and their correct
ordering and pairing is essential to biological function. The four bases that make up
this code are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). Bases pair
off together in a double helix structure, these pairs being A and T, and C and G.
Adenine and guanine are purines while cytosine and thymine are pyramidines.
RNA have the same bases as DNA but it doesn’t have thymine bases. Instead, it
has uracil bases (U), which pair to adenine.

b.) Structure

DNA is a two-stranded structure forming the DNA double helix. This occurs when
the bases in two strands bond to each other in opposite directions. It is the hydrogen
bonds between corresponding pairs of nucleobases that hold the two DNA strands
together. The RNA on the other hand, is usually single-stranded. RNA forms single
helices that are less tightly compressed than DNA molecules. Although it is single
stranded, RNA can fold upon itself, with the folds stabilized by short areas of
complementary base pairing within the molecule, forming a three-dimensional
structure.

c.) Sugar

Both DNA and RNA are built with a sugar backbone. The sugar in DNA is called
deoxyribose while in RNA, it is called ribose. The difference between the sugars is
the presence of the hydroxyl group on the second carbon of the ribose and hydrogen
on the second carbon of deoxyribose.

2.) Define:

a.) Nucleic Acid - It is the heredity-controlling components of all living cells. The two
main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid
(RNA). DNA is composed of the genetic information found in all living organisms
that is passed down from one generation to the next. RNA has several functions,
 including forming the cell’s protein factories, or ribosomes, and transmitting copies
of DNA information to the ribosomes.

b.) Nucleotide - DNA and RNA are made up of monomers known as nucleotides. The
nucleotides combine with each other to form a polynucleotide: DNA or RNA. Each
nucleotide is made up of three components: a nitrogenous base, a pentose (five-
carbon) sugar and a phosphate group. Each nitrogenous base in a nucleotide is
attached to a sugar molecule, which is attached to one or more phosphate groups.

c.) Nucleoside - It is the molecular building blocks of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
Nucleosides are usually obtained by chemical or enzymatic decomposition of
nucleic acids.

3.) What is the backbone of nucleic acid?

The sugar-phosphate backbone forms the structural framework of nucleic acids.

This backbone is composed of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, and defines the
directionality of the molecule.

4.) Give the three common RNA, describe each.

a.) mRNA - The DNA molecules never leave the nucleus but instead use an
intermediary to communicate with the rest of the cell. This intermediary is the
messenger RNA (mRNA). When proteins need to be made, the mRNA enters the
nucleus and attaches itself to one of the DNA strands. An RNA copy or transcript
of the gene’s DNA is made. The ribosome then uses the information in the mRNA
to make a protein of a specific sequence.

b.) tRNA - Transfer RNAs (tRNA) translate the information from the mRNA into a
usable form. Their job is to act as carriers – to bring amino acids to the ribosome,
ensuring that the amino acid added to the chain is the one specified by the mRNA.

c.) rRNA - is a major component of ribosomes, where it helps mRNA bind in the right
spot so its sequence information can be read out. Some rRNAs also act as enzymes,
meaning that they help accelerate (catalyze) chemical reactions. These rRNAs that
act as enzymes are known as ribozymes.