Nucleic acids are very large biomacromolecules that contain the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Two types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)

-DNA is a double stranded molecule that stores the information that controls the cell. It is the main chemical making up the nucleus. Small amounts are found in mitochondria and chloroplasts.

-RNA is found in small amounts in the nucleus and in larger amounts in the cytoplasm.

The building blocks of DNA and RNA are called nucleotides. Each nucleotides consists of a sugar, a sub-unit called a base, and phosphate.

DNA nucleotides contain the four bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine. DNA nucleotides are required by cells to make DNA during cell replication.

RNA nucleotides contain the four bases adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil. They also contain the sugar ribose. RNA nucleotides are required for cells to make ribosomes and to make RNA so that cells can make proteins.

	Created by yeet master over 8 years ago

Module 1; Chapter 3