<h2>Nucleic Acids</h2>
<p class="para">Nucleic acids are large organic molecules that are key to all living organisms. Nucleic acids are <em class="emphasis">polymers</em> made up of <em class="emphasis">nucleotides</em>. Nucleotides are made up of a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base. Nucleotides are joined together by <em class="emphasis">phosphodiester</em> bonds, joining the phosphate of one nucleotide to the sugar of the next. DNA is synthesised using intermediate products of carbohydrate and <a data-lesson="amino-acids" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biological-macromolecules" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biological-macromolecules/amino-acids">amino acid</a> metabolism.</p>
<p class="para">Nucleic acids include:</p>
<div class="list">
<ul class="bullet">
<li class="item">Deoxyribonucleic acid (<em class="emphasis">DNA</em>): which contains the 'instructions' for the synthesis of proteins in the form of genes. DNA is found in the <a data-lesson="nucleus-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="cell-biology" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/cell-biology/nucleus-2">nucleus</a> of every cell.</li>
<li class="item">Ribonucleic acid (<em class="emphasis">RNA</em>): is important in transferring genetic information from DNA to proteins. It is found on ribosomes, in the <a data-lesson="cytoplasm" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="introducing-the-cell" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/introducing-the-cell/cytoplasm">cytoplasm</a> and in the nucleus.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_98782" style="width: 382px"><a href="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/aaab73b3-c9ae-4edd-9448-7739dbefac38"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-98782" height="481" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/aaab73b3-c9ae-4edd-9448-7739dbefac38" width="382"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Image credit: Siyavula</p></div>
<div class="ns-tutorial">
<div class="ns-school-defn2">
<h3 class="note-header"><span class="cnx_label">Note:</span></h3>
<p class="para">The structure and function of the nucleus will be explained in details in another tutorial on cells: the basic units of life.</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Video: Biomolecules Summary</h2>
<p>The <a href="http://www.amoebasisters.com/">Amoeba Sisters</a> video below summarizes biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and <a data-lesson="nucleic-acids-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biology-foundations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biology-foundations/nucleic-acids-2">nucleic acids</a> and includes examples, functions, monomers, and structures.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YO244P1e9QM?rel=0&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;cc_lang_pref=en&amp;cc_load_policy=1" width="640"></iframe></p>

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Nucleic Acids

Biology studies life and living organisms. Biology can be divided into different sections that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and so on of living organisms.

Biology

Discover the fundamental role of chemistry in life, explore the importance of molecules such as water, minerals, and nutrients for plant growth, and learn about the essential organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, as well as enzymes, nucleic acids, and vitamins, and the recommended dietary allowance.


Nucleic Acids

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