Nucleic Acid: Types, Functions & Examples

Nucleic Acids are macromolecules that store genetic information in them.. It is made of nucleotides like 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. All these are monomer components.

• Nucleic Acids carry information within cells using the biomolecules in the chromosomes of the DNA. 
• It was discovered by Friedrich Miescher in 1869.
• These are long-chain polymeric molecules.
• It is also known as nucleotides.
• The two main types of nucleic acids include deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• They can create, encode, and store information in all living cells.
• Nucleic acids are responsible for the transmission of characteristics from one generation to another.

Key Terms: Nucleic Acid, Acid, Nucleotides, Polymeric Molecules, Chromosomes, DNA, RNA, Gene, Cell, Nucleotides, Monomer, Phosphate Group

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What are Nucleic Acids?

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Nucleic Acids are biomolecules that are made up of monomers, which are called nucleotides. It is a naturally occurring chemical compound. The nuclei acid is broken down to produce other organic bases.

• The cells of these acids decide what specific trait is going to be inherited by a descendant.
• Nucleic acids express and send information inside and outside the nucleus.
• It provides a ladders-step order of nucleotides within their molecules.
• The acid can be generated within the laboratory with the help of enzymes.
• Nucleic Acids is the foundation for genome and forensic science.

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Types of Nucleic Acids

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There are two types of Nucleic Acids namely Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Deoxyribonucleic acid is a type of nucleic acid that is composed of two polynucleotide chains of acids. The polynucleotides are arranged in such a way that they form a helix-like structure.

• It carries genetic information for the development, growth and reproduction of organisms.
• It consists of four nitrogen-containing nucleobases, namely cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine.
• Deoxyribonucleic acid also consists of a phosphate group.
• It exists in the form of a single strand.

Read More: Atoms and Molecules

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Ribonucleic acid is a type of acid that works as a type of non-coding RNA. It is also responsible for forming a template for the production of proteins. Ribonucleic acid consists of four nitrogen-containing nucleobases, namely cytosine, guanine, adenine and uracil.

• Ribonucleic acid has a hydroxyl group at the second position of ribosome sugar.
• It helps in sensing and communicating responses to required cellular signals.
• RNA is divided into three categories, namely m-RNA, t-RNA and r-RNA
• Organisms use messenger-RNA (mRNA) to transfer genetic information.
• The transfer-RNA (t-RNA) is responsible for delivering amino acids to the ribosome.
• Ribosomal-RNA (r-RNA) link amino acid to required proteins.

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Chemical Composition of Nucleic Acid

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The chemical composition of nucleic acid is as follows:

• When the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or the ribonucleic acid (RNA) is broken down into units.
• The cell produces certain protein compounds base. 
• Specifically, the produced bases are phosphoric acid, pentose sugar and heterocyclic compounds.
• The DNA cell has a sugar moiety, which is called β-D-2-deoxyribose. 
• RNA cell has β-D-ribose.

The chemical composition of DNA and RNA are as below.

Chemical composition of Nuclei Acid

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Functions of Nucleic Acids

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The function of nucleic acids are as follows:

DNA and genetic information

Tests conducted on the strands of DNA have revealed that they are the carriers of genetic information in human beings. In simple words, they preserve the traits and identity of people through the generations. 

• DNA cell replicates and multiplies itself into identical cells called daughter cells. 
• While the DNA cell acts as a template, the daughter cell copies it into a new double-strand DNA cell.

RNA and hereditary information

Nucleic acids also perform an important function, like the synthesis of protein, which is done by the RNA cells. The process of synthesising protein is called transcription and translation. Together, it is known as gene expression. 

• They act as the vehicle to carry DNA information from the DNA to the machine that synthesis protein. 
• The transcription is done by the messenger RNA or mRNA. 
• mRNA will come across ribosomes to continue the process of protein synthesis, which is called translation.

Read More: Chromosomes and genes

Diseases due to DNA damage

The presence of DNA in human beings is responsible for the transfer of genetic material to future generations. Experts have found that loss of DNA due to any reason leads to diseases in human beings. 

• Importantly, DNAs have their own repair mechanisms to repair any damage. 
• When the repair mechanism is not working, the DNA is damaged. 
• Diseases here can range from mental retardation to cancer. 
• Other diseases that have been observed are sunlight sensitivity and bone marrow deficiency.

Nucleotides have chemical energy in cells.

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is another type of nucleic acid. It is the chemical store for cells. ATP has three phosphate groups attached to a ribose sugar. This acts as a battery for living beings. 

• When food is consumed, the carbohydrates, protein and lipids get broken down into individual monomers. 
• Further, the monomers get broken down into finer units.
• The chemical energy released from such action is stored in the ATP.

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA also helps with DNA fingerprinting. Fingerprint, as it is widely known, is unique to every human being. Similarly, the presence of bases at the end of DNA is unique to human beings, like the fingerprints of our hands. This is used to conduct DNA fingerprinting. 

• While fingerprints can be altered with surgery.
• DNA fingerprinting cannot be changed. 
• It is mainly used in forensic cases or to establish paternity.

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Things To Remember

• Nucleic Acids, in simple terms, are the molecules that store genetic information in them. 
• The main purpose of these acids is to carry information within cells using the biomolecules in the chromosomes of the DNA.
• It is used to send coded information to genes.
• Nucleic Acids are biomolecules that are made up of monomers, which are called nucleotides. 
• It is a chemical compound that is broken down to produce other organic bases.
• There are two types of Nucleic Acids: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• DNA cell replicates and multiplies itself into identical cells called daughter cells.

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