Nucleic Acids

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Nucleic Acid Noun

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[noo-klee-ik as-id]

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Nucleic Acid

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A complex organic macromolecule, like DNA or RNA, that stores and transmits genetic information within a cell.

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Example: This image shows that nucleic acids are built from units called nucleotides, each made of three parts: a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

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Nucleotide Noun

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[noo-klee-oh-tide]

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Nucleotide

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The monomer of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

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Example: This diagram shows that a nucleotide, the building block of nucleic acids, is made of three parts: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) Noun

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[dee-ok-see-rye-boh-noo-klee-ik as-id]

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

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A double-stranded nucleic acid containing an organism's genetic code, composed of deoxyribose sugar and four nitrogenous bases.

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Example: This diagram shows the double helix structure of DNA, identifying the sugar-phosphate backbone and the four nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G) that form pairs.

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RNA (Ribonucleic acid) Noun

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[rye-boh-noo-klee-ik as-id]

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RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

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A single-stranded nucleic acid, composed of ribose sugar, that is primarily involved in the process of protein synthesis.

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Example: This image shows the single-stranded structure of RNA, with a backbone and its four unique chemical bases: Adenine (A), Uracil (U), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

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Gene Noun

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[jeen]

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Gene

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A specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA that serves as the fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity.

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Example: This diagram shows that a gene is a specific section of a DNA molecule, which is tightly coiled into a chromosome found inside a cell's nucleus.

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Phosphate group Noun

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[fos-fayt groop]

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Phosphate group

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A key chemical component of a nucleotide, consisting of a central phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows a phosphate group, which consists of a central phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, a key building block of nucleic acids.

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Pentose Noun

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[pen-tohs]

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Pentose

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A 5-carbon sugar molecule that forms a fundamental part of a nucleotide's structure, such as deoxyribose or ribose.

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Example: This diagram shows the molecular structure of ribose, an example of a pentose sugar because it has five carbon atoms, a key building block of nucleic acids.

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Nitrogenous base Noun

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[nye-troj-uh-nuhs bays]

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Nitrogenous base

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A nitrogen-containing molecule that is a component of a nucleotide and forms the basis of the genetic code.

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Example: This image shows the five types of nitrogenous bases, grouping them into purines (two rings) and pyrimidines (one ring).

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Deoxyribose Noun

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[dee-ok-see-rye-bohs]

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Deoxyribose

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The specific 5-carbon pentose sugar that is found in the nucleotides that make up a DNA molecule.

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Example: This image compares Deoxyribose to Ribose, showing that Deoxyribose is missing an oxygen atom on one of its carbons, which is highlighted.

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Ribose Noun

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[rye-bohs]

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Ribose

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The specific 5-carbon pentose sugar that is found in the nucleotides that make up an RNA molecule.

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Example: This image shows the chemical structure of Ribose, a five-carbon sugar that forms the backbone of RNA, a type of nucleic acid.