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Summary Unit 11 A1 Learning aim A: Understand the structure and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene expression and the process of protein synthesis
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FUNCTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDSUnit/Criteria: Understand the structure and function of
nucleic acids to describe gene expression and the process or
protein synthesis.
Name Description (function, structure, location, &
main features)
DNA DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) this is a nucleic
Deoxyribonucleic acid acid which is the basis of life on Earth, a lot of
living organisms we see have DNA. Moreover,
DNA function is to store all the genetic
information that an organism needs to grow,
function, & to reproduce to pass on their DNA to
the next generation, which is vital as it the
biological instruction manual that is found in
each cell in the organism. The DNA also can
make a copy of itself. Their function is to aid in
your development, survival, & passing on traits
which helps with survival of the fittest adaptions
which help an organism to survive
The DNA molecule structure is a double helix,
which is two long, thin strands twisted around
each other like a spiral staircase & the DNA is
found in the cells in the nucleus in many
eukaryotic cells (eukaryotic cells means that it
has a nucleus)
The bases which form the DNA molecule where
X-ray diffraction which shows the three-
dimensional structure of the DNA. Firstly, the
DNA is made up of two polynucleotide chains,
which DNA is presented as a polymer of
nucleotides. Which these nucleotides are
arranged in two chains, this is known as
, deoxyribonucleotides – they are made up of:
deoxyribose sugar, a nitrogenous base, one
phosphate group. So, 5-Carbon sugar (pentose
sugar), nitrogenous base, phosphate group. The 4
nitrogenous bases present in the DNA
nucleotides are: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, &
Thymine (Adenine complementary pairings are
with Thymine & Cytosine with Guanine). These
DNA bases are spilt into 2 groups based on the
chemical structures, the purines like adenine +
guanine. Purines are formed as it contains two
carbon-nitrogen rings and four nitrogen atoms.
And the pyrimidines contain one carbon-nitrogen
(A level Biology, 2020) ring and two nitrogen atoms
(https://alevelbiology.co.uk/not They are held in place due to the backbone which
es/structure-of-dna/) is connected by phosphodiester bonds to from the
two polynucleotide chains & the bases are joined
by hydrogen bonds. Each of the two chains have
a 3’ end and a 5’ end (third carbon of
deoxyribose sugar) & 5’ end (fifth carbon of the
deoxyribose sugar). The polynucleotide chains
are arranged opposite to each other this means
that if one of the chains is arranged to 3’ to 5’
end direction where the sugar and phosphate
molecules are directed upwards. Whereas the
other chain is 5’ to 3’ direction which the sugar
and phosphate molecules facing downwards
(Ancestry DNA, 2020)
(https://www.ancestry.co.uk/lp/dna-function)
(Virtual Genetics Education Centre, 2019)
(https://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/vgec/schoolsandc
olleges/topics/dnageneschromosomes
(A level Biology, 2020)
(https://alevelbiology.co.uk/notes/structure-of-
dna/)
Also, the fascinating part is how the
chromosomes are made which help organise the
DNA as its all coiled up. Where the chromatins is
a double-stranded the structure of DNA, where
the DNA is then shaped by complexed histones
, to form the nucleosomes that are needed, where
the histones enzymes are consisted of 8 which
can wrap at least 165 times, then the
chromosomes, then this includes the
chromosomes which they now have a
nucleosome & a H1 histone, it folds up to at least
30 nm filar & figures show that at least this forms
loops that can be in lengths from 300 nm & are
then shown to be compressed & folded to
produce 250 nm fibre & finally the tight coiling
produce the chromatids of the enzyme.
mRNA: mRNA function is to produce the instructions
Messenger RNA that are needed to make the proteins that can aid
in preventing and treating diseases. Moreover,
without the mRNA the body might not get the
genetic code to use it for your body. And the
most important is that proteins will not even be
made – your body couldn’t perform its functions
(especially that is needed for protein synthesis).
mRNA structure is a single-stranded molecule
that is required that carries genetic code from
DNA in a cell’s nucleus to the ribosomes (in
other words the cells-protein making machinery).
And found in the cytoplasm & nucleus
(C&EN -American Chemical
Society, 2018)
Hence, mRNA involvement is also found in the
(https://cen.acs.org/business/
production of proteins from the code within the
start-ups/mRNA-disrupt-drug-
DNA, so in the Transcription: where the DNA
industry/96/i35)
code is found in for one of the gene which is
copied into mRNA. And in another linked
This image shows how the
process Translation is where mRNA joins with a
process is done for mRNA
ribosome, and then corresponds with tRNA
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