DNA & RNA

DNA
■ GENE: Important part of DNA that signifies a unique protein that controls
a specific function in the cell. A gene is capable of storing genetic
information and sometimes can undergo mutation.
■ DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
– Responsible in controlling all cellular activities within living
organisms.
– Nucleotide is the building block of DNA.
– mtDNA: DNA found in the mitochondria
– Nuclear DNA: DNA found in the nucleus (mostly)
 FOUR DNA BASES
■ ADENINE(A) Classified as PURINE since they have double ring

■ GUANINE(G) structures.

■ CYTOSINE(C)
Classified as PYRIMIDLINES which contain a
■ THYMINE(T) sintering structure.
 BASES OF NUCLEOTIDE
■ The order or sequence of the bases determines the information available for
building and maintaining an organism, similar to the way in which letters of the
alphabet appear in a certain order to form words and sentences.
■ Together, base, sugar, and phosphate are called nucleotides.
■ The nitrogenous bases a complementary base pairing(A to T & G to C) which
pairs up to form a new strand of DNA ff. a semi conservative process of
replication.
■ Each of these bases is also attached to a sugar molecule and a phosphate
molecule:
– Five-carbon sugar deoxyribose
– Phosphate group
WATSON & CRICK
MODEL

In 1953, James Watson & Francis Crick

developed the structure of DNA as a “
double helical structure” since the
structure contains 2 strands winding
around each other.( the double helix DNA
is like a winding staircase).

The structures contain 2 sugar phosphate,

the DNA base pairs that are linked by
hydrogen bonds.
 DNA REPLICATION
1. Two strands of DNA separate from one another when enzymes break
the hydrogen bond between the complementary nitrogen bases.( DNA
double helix is unwound by an enzyme called helicase). The
separation the replication fork that takes a Y-shaped configuration.
2. Then, the RNA binds to the leading strand.
RNA
RNA - Ribonucleic acid

- Contains a long strand

made up of nucleotides

- has a single chain

structure.

HAS FOUR BASES:

- guanine, cytosine, adenine,

and uracil (instead of thymine).
 PROTIEN SYNTHESIS
■ PROTEINS ( inside the cell ): Responsible in controlling activities of the cell.
■ AMINO ACIDS: Building blocks of protein.
■ Here the DNA & RNA works together in making a unique protein here is how:
1. Messenger RNA(mRNA) transcribes & copies the genetic info in making
proteins from the DNA strand.(occurs in the nucleus)
2. The mRNA strand exits the nucleus via the nuclear membrane.
3. The ribosomal RNA(rRNA) reads the copies info from the mRNA as a codon
code which contain 3 consecutive nitrogenous bases.
4. Translation takes place when the transfer RNA(tRNA) starts to bring
anticodon( complementary copy of the mRNA codon.( stops when all codons
are converted into amino acids & when a specific protein molecule is
produced.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RNA & DNA