EXPERIMENT 8: INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEIC ACIDS

Objectives
i.
ii.
iii.

To describe the structure of a nucleotide

To construct the structure of a polynucleotide chain
To differentiate the structures between RNA and DNA molecules

Nucleic acids
Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Nucleic acids can
vary in size, but are generally very large molecules.
Nucleic acids are informational molecules of the cell and constitute the
genetic material of all living things. A nucleic acid strand is a polymer of
nucleotides. Each nucleotide monomer consists of a pentose covalently
bonded to a phosphate group and to one of four different nitrogenous bases:
Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T) or Uracil (U).
RNA has ribose as its pentose sugar while DNA has deoxyribose. RNA has
Uracil while DNA has Thymine.
The sugars and phosphates in nucleic acids are connected to each other in an
alternating chain (sugar-phosphate backbone) through phosphodiester
linkages. In conventional nomenclature, the carbons to which the phosphate
groups attach are the 3'-end and the 5'-end carbons of the sugar. This gives
nucleic acids directionality, and the ends of nucleic acid molecules are
referred to as 5'-end and 3'-end. Nucleic acid molecules are usually
unbranched, and may occur as linear and circular molecules.
Double-stranded nucleic acids are made up of complementary sequences
(strands), in which Watson-Crick base pairing results in the formation of a
double-helical three-dimensional structure (double helix). In contrast, singlestranded RNA and DNA molecules can adopt other complex threedimensional structures.
DNA
DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the
development and functioning of all known living organisms. The main role of
DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information and DNA is often
compared to a set of blueprints, since it contains the instructions needed to
construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules.
The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but
other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating
the use of this genetic information.
39

RNA
RNA functions in converting genetic information from genes into the amino
acid sequences of proteins. The three universal types of RNA include tRNA,
mRNA and rRNA. Most RNA molecules are linear, single-stranded
molecules.
Exercise 8.1:

Nucleic acid

Materials
DNA puzzle kit (depends on availability)
Manila cards
Cellophane tape
Scissors
Threads

Procedures and Observation

1.

Form a nucleotide using the following symbol.

Phosphate

Pentose

Base

2.

Construct, draw and label DNA and RNA polynucleotide chains with
at least 5 nucleotides. Show the 5 and 3 end and mark the
phosphodiester bond.

40

3.

Use the symbols to represent the following base:

Adenine

Guanine

Thymine
Cytosine

Uracil

Using manila card or paper, cut out 30 pieces for each base. Make sure
the adenine bases fit with the thymine bases, whilst the cytosine bases
fit with the guanine bases. Using genetic information on
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), join the pieces together with cellophane
tape.

41

Figure 8.1 DNA molecule

Figure 8.2 RNA molecule

42

Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is a nucleotide?
Name the bases found in DNA and RNA.
How many hydrogen bonds are found between adenine and thymine?
Compare the structure and functions between RNA and DNA
molecule.

43