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Nucleotide

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  Nucleotide Definition A nucleotide is regarded as the basic building block of nucleic acid (e.g.  DNA  and  RNA ). A nucleic acid, in turn, is one of the major groups of biomolecules (the others are carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids). Nucleic acids are involved in the preservation, replication, and expression of hereditary information. Nucleotides also provide chemical energy in the form of their nucleoside triphosphates. Additionally, they participate in cell signaling and form a second messenger in cellular processes. Nucleotide (biology definition):  the fundamental building block of nucleic acid; an organic compound made up of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.  Etymology:  “ nucleo “- (“nucleus”) + – ide  (chemical suffix). Characteristics of Nucleotides A nucleotide is an  organic compound  made up of three subunits: a  nitrogenous base , a five-carbon  sugar , and a  phosphate group . The s...

RNA

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Introduction:  RNA, shortening of ribonucleic corrosive, complex compound of high atomic weight that capacities in cell protein union and replaces DNA (deoxyribonucleic corrosive) as a transporter of hereditary codes in some infections. RNA comprises of ribose nucleotides (nitrogenous bases annexed to a ribose sugar) joined by phosphodiester bonds, shaping strands of shifting lengths. The nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, which replaces thymine in DNA. The  ribose  sugar of RNA is a cyclical structure consisting of five  carbons  and one  oxygen . The presence of a chemically reactive hydroxyl (−OH) group attached to the second carbon group in the ribose sugar  molecule  makes RNA prone to  hydrolysis . This chemical lability of RNA, compared with DNA, which does not have a reactive −OH group in the same position on the sugar moiety (deoxyribose), is thought to be one reason why DNA evolved to be the preferr...