Fundamentals of nucleic acid

Question 1

describe the two types of nucleic acids

Answer 1

DNA is found in the nucleus with small amounts of mitochondria and is double stranded
RNA is found throughout the cell and is single stranded

Question 2

what is the basic structure of nucleic acids and how are they formed

Answer 2

DNA and RNA are both formed through a condensation reaction and composed of pentose, phosphate group and nitrogenous base

Question 3

describe a DNA molecule

Answer 3

• the bases are joined by hydrogen bonds
• the sister strand of the DNA molecule runs in opposite directions (antiparallel)
• Adenine pairs with thymine and Guanine with cytosine
• the sister strands are complimentary but not identical