Nucleic acids are the key macromolecules of life. They are polymers made of smaller monomers called nucleotides, which undergo condensation reactions. The two types of nucleic acids you'll learn about are deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, and ribonucleic acid, or RNA. Both DNA and RNA are essential in cellular processes and development. All living things - both eukaryotic and prokaryotic - contain nucleic acids, including animals, plants and bacteria. Even viruses, which are considered non-living entities, contain nucleic acids as you can see in the diagram below.
Fig. 1 - DNA is located in a eukaryotic cell (left) and a virus (right)
DNA and RNA are composed of three common components: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar and an organic nitrogenous base. The combination of these components, called the base sequence (shown below), holds all the genetic information needed for all life.
Fig. 2 - DNA base sequence
Why are nucleic acids important?
Nucleic acids are amazing molecules that contain the genetic instructions to make our cellular components. They are present in every cell (except mature erythrocytes) to direct the functioning of each cell and its functions.
DNA is a remarkable macromolecule found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells that holds all the information needed to create proteins. The base sequence of DNA holds this code. This same DNA is passed down to offspring, so subsequent generations possess the ability to create these essential proteins. This means that DNA plays a major role in the continuity of life as it is the blueprint for organizational development.
This is highly important because, without RNA, proteins cannot be synthesized. There are different types of RNA that you will come across: messenger RNA (mRNA), transport RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Nucleic Acids - Key takeaways
- Nucleic acids are the essential macromolecules responsible for the storage and transfer of genetic material.
- The two types of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, share three common structural components: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base.
- DNA holds all the genetic information in the form of base sequences that code for proteins.
- RNA facilitates the transcription and translation of the DNA base sequence in protein synthesis.
- There are three different types of RNA, each with different functions: mRNA, tRNA and rRNA.
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