Summary of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids Overview

The video discusses Nucleic Acids, which are large organic macromolecules essential for life. There are two main types of Nucleic Acids: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).

Nucleic Acids: Large organic compounds made from smaller molecules (monomers).
Types of Nucleic Acids:
- DNA: Main component of chromatin, organizes into chromosomes, carries genetic information.
- RNA: Involved in protein synthesis by assembling amino acids.

Composition:
- Contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Monomers (Nucleotides):
- Composed of three parts:
  - Phosphate Group: Contains phosphorus.
  - Five Carbon Sugar (Pentose):
    - RNA: Ribose.
    - DNA: Deoxyribose (one less oxygen than ribose).
  - Nitrogenous Base: Contains nitrogen.
    - DNA Bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G).
    - RNA Bases: Adenine (A), Uracil (U), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G).

Nucleotides bond together through the phosphate group of one nucleotide linking to the sugar of another, forming a nucleic acid polymer.
Structural Differences:
- RNA: Single-stranded.
- DNA: Double-stranded, with hydrogen bonds linking complementary nitrogenous bases.

Nucleic Acids transmit hereditary information and instruct cells for protein construction.
DNA and RNA differ in their sugar components and one of their nitrogenous bases.