Chemistry of Life: Macromolecules
Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Nucleic acids – informational polymers Proteins – many structures, many functions
1
, Learning objectives
Nucleic acids
• Compare and contrast the structure and functions of DNA and RNA
• List the major components of a nucleotide
Proteins
• Understand the biologically important functions of proteins
• Know that proteins consist of one or more polymers, polypeptides, which
are made by linking amino acids together with peptide linkages
• Know that all proteins are made from the same 20 amino acids
• List the three dimensional structures of proteins
• Know that the function of a protein is directly dependent on its structure
2
, DNA and RNA are polymers made up of nucleotides (monomer)
DNA RNA
Inherited - carries genetic Messenger and translator of
information genetic information
Several forms
Encodes the information to
build proteins - mRNA (messenger)
- tRNA (transfer)
- rRNA (ribosomal)
Affects all aspects of an
organism’s structure and
function (traits): Cooperate to manufacture
- directing synthesis of proteins by using the
structural proteins > information provided by
controls shape and physical
characteristics of body DNA.
- controlling enzyme
manufacture > regulates
cellular metabolism i.e. the
creation and breakdown of
other molecules.
3
, A single nucleotide is made up of
three components: Chemical structure of a nucleotide
- a nitrogen-containing base
- either a purine or a pyrimidine.
- a five-carbon sugar (pentose)
- either a ribose (in RNA) or a
deoxyribose (in DNA) molecule.
- and a phosphate group (PO43-)
The sugar and phosphate group
form the ‘sugar phosphate
backbone’ © 2013 Nature Education All rights reserved.
4
Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Nucleic acids – informational polymers Proteins – many structures, many functions
1
, Learning objectives
Nucleic acids
• Compare and contrast the structure and functions of DNA and RNA
• List the major components of a nucleotide
Proteins
• Understand the biologically important functions of proteins
• Know that proteins consist of one or more polymers, polypeptides, which
are made by linking amino acids together with peptide linkages
• Know that all proteins are made from the same 20 amino acids
• List the three dimensional structures of proteins
• Know that the function of a protein is directly dependent on its structure
2
, DNA and RNA are polymers made up of nucleotides (monomer)
DNA RNA
Inherited - carries genetic Messenger and translator of
information genetic information
Several forms
Encodes the information to
build proteins - mRNA (messenger)
- tRNA (transfer)
- rRNA (ribosomal)
Affects all aspects of an
organism’s structure and
function (traits): Cooperate to manufacture
- directing synthesis of proteins by using the
structural proteins > information provided by
controls shape and physical
characteristics of body DNA.
- controlling enzyme
manufacture > regulates
cellular metabolism i.e. the
creation and breakdown of
other molecules.
3
, A single nucleotide is made up of
three components: Chemical structure of a nucleotide
- a nitrogen-containing base
- either a purine or a pyrimidine.
- a five-carbon sugar (pentose)
- either a ribose (in RNA) or a
deoxyribose (in DNA) molecule.
- and a phosphate group (PO43-)
The sugar and phosphate group
form the ‘sugar phosphate
backbone’ © 2013 Nature Education All rights reserved.
4
