Nucleic Acids (1)

Question 1

Why are nucleic acids called ‘molecules of life’?

Answer 1

Nucleic acids have been called the ‘molecules of life’ or the ‘most extraordinary molecules on earth’ as they have the capacity to store the information that controls cellular activity and the development of an entire organism.

Question 2

How do nucleic acids have the capacity to store the information that controls cellular activity and the development of an entire organism?

Answer 2

They do this by controlling the synthesis of proteins.

Question 3

Making _____ may seem a far cry from making an entire organism, but it is the first step in that direction.

Answer 3

Proteins

Question 4

What do proteins do?

Answer 4

Proteins not only make up much of the structure of the body but, as enzymes are proteins, they also control the chemical processes inside cells. In this way, they ultimately control the structure and functioning of all living organisms.

Question 5

The two nucleic acids found in cells are :

Answer 5

1. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

2. Ribonucleic acid (RNA)