Nucleic Acids – Class 12 | Chapter – 9 | Biology Short Notes Series PDF

Nucleic Acids: More modest monomeric units that are known as nucleotides structure nucleic acids. Nucleic acids manage different capabilities in the body like development, multiplication and digestion. These are parts which structure the qualities of a person that is liable for heredity. There are essentially two kinds of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. DNA or deoxyribonucleic corrosive comprises of nucleotides comprised of four nitrogen bases specifically adenine, guanine, thiamine and cytosine. While adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil( instead of thiamine) make up RNA or ribonucleic corrosive.

Functions of Nucleic Acids

  • Nucleic acids are answerable for the transmission of characters from parent to offspring.
  • They are answerable for the union of protein in our body.
  • DNA fingerprinting is a strategy utilized by measurable specialists to decide paternity. It is likewise utilized for the distinguishing proof of lawbreakers. It has likewise assumed a significant part in examinations in regards to natural development and hereditary qualities.

Type of Nucleic Acids

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are two major types of nucleic acids. DNA and RNA are responsible for the inheritance and transmission of specific characteristics from one generation to the other.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Chemically, DNA is composed of a pentose sugar, phosphoric acid and some cyclic bases containing nitrogen. The sugar moiety present in DNA molecules is β-D-2-deoxyribose. The cyclic bases that have nitrogen in them are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine(C) and thymine (T). These bases and their arrangement in the molecules of DNA play an important role in the storage of information from one generation to the next one. DNA has a double-strand helical structure in which the strands are complementary to each other.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

The RNA molecule is also composed of phosphoric acid, a pentose sugar and some cyclic bases containing nitrogen. RNA has β-D-ribose in it as the sugar moiety. The heterocyclic bases present in RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine(C) and uracil (U). In RNA the fourth base is different from that of DNA. The RNA generally consists of a single strand which sometimes folds back; that results in a double helix structure.


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By Team Learning Mantras