Nucleic acids are organic compounds that store and carry genetic information to direct protein synthesis. There are two main types: DNA contains the genetic blueprint and is usually found in the cell nucleus, while RNA assists in protein production and is mainly in the cytoplasm. Both are made up of nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and either thymine in DNA or uracil in RNA).

1. Nucleic Acids
Group 5

2. Discovery
• In 1869, a Swiss physiologist, Friedrich
Miescher, separated the nuclei of various
types of cells from other cellular
components.

3. What are nucleic acids?
• Are organic compounds that function from
the storage of genetic information
• Function in protein synthesis as they carry
the code needed in the formation of
specific proteins

4. 2 Types of Nucleic Acids
• Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Made up of Nucleotide
• Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

5. Nucleotide
• Phosphate Group, a sugar, a nitrogenous
base

6. RNA Bases
• Adenine (A)
• Cytosine (C)
• Guanine (G)
• Uracil (U)

7. DNA Bases
• Adenine (A)
• Cytosine (C)
• Guanine (G)
• Thymine (T)

8. 2 Possible Pairings
• Adenine (A) & Thymine (T)
• Cytosine (C) & Guanine (G)

9. Differences of DNA & RNA
DNA RNA
Sugar Deoxyribose (C5H10O4) Ribose (C5H10O5)
Strand Double stranded Single Stranded
Nitrogenous Adenine Adenine
bases Thymine Uracil
Cytosine Cytosine
Guanine Guanine
Location Mostly in the nucleus but may Mostly in cytoplasm
also be found in cytoplasm but may also be
and mitochondria found in the nucleus

10. LOCATION OF DNA &
RNA IN THE CELL
Cytoplasm
RNA
DNA
Nucleus
DNA
RNA