Nucleic Acids - 785 Words

Stanford University STUDIES! Nucleic Acids, extremely complex molecules produced by living cells and viruses. Their name comes from their initial isolation from the nuclei of living cells. Certain nucleic acids, however, are found not in the cell nucleus but in cell cytoplasm. Nucleic acids have at least two functions: to pass on hereditary characteristics from one generation to the next, and to trigger the manufacture of specific proteins. How nucleic acids accomplish these functions is the object of some of the most intense and promising research currently under way. The nucleic acids are the fundamental substances of living things, believed by researchers to have first been formed about 3 billion years ago, when the most elementary†¦show more content†¦Thus the cell produces proteins that are, in fact, viruses instead of the proteins required for cell function. The host cell is destroyed, and the newly formed viruses are free to inject their RNA into other host cells. The structure of two types of RNA and their function in protein production have been determined, one type by a team of Cornell University and U.S. Department of Agriculture investigators led by Robert W. Holley of Cornell, and the other type by James T. Madison and George A. Everett of the Department of Agriculture. Important research into the interpretation of the genetic code and its role in protein synthesis was also performed by the Indian-born American chemist Har Gobind Khorana at the University of Wisconsin Enzyme Institute and the American biochemist Marshall W. Nirenberg of the National Heart Institute. In 1970 Khorana achieved the first complete synthesis of a gene and repeated his feat in 1973. Since then one type of RNA has been synthesized. Also, in the early 1980s, American biochemists Thomas Robert Cech and Sidney Altman independently proved that certain types of RNA, called ribozymes, can function as true catalysts (see Catalysis). See alsoShow MoreRelatedCarbohydrate s, Lipids, Proteins, And Nucleic Acids918 Words   |  4 Pagestypes of biomolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are large chains of sugar found in food and living tissues. This includes sugars, starch, and cellulose. They have the same ratio of hydrogen and oxygen that water has, 2:1. They are broken down to release energy in the animal body. Lipids are any organic compounds that are fatty acids and don’t dissolve in water but do in organic solvents. Fatty acids can be found in natural oils, waxes, and steroids. ProteinsRead MoreBiologically Essential Proteins : Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, And Nucleic Acids Essay2591 Words   |  11 PagesSania Tahir TITLE: Biologically Essential Molecules: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids ABSTRACT: In this lab, we are identifying carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids via biochemical tests. In order to identify reducing sugars, we performed Benedict’s test. Aldehydes and ketones reduce weak oxidizing reagents such as the cupric in Benedict’s reagent. Positive tests are indicated by a green to red color and this was true because we found reducing sugars andRead MoreNucleic Acid Measurements1302 Words   |  6 PagesLecture 8 Nucleic Acid-Based Measurements Text Chapter 13 Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Total community DNA †¢ Extract DNA from soil – – – – remove cells from soil separate cells from soil lyse cells separate DNA from cells – purify DNA †¢ Extract DNA from soil – Extract DNA from cells in presence of soil †¢ Bead-beating †¢ chemical or enzymatic treatment – Sodium dodecyl sulfate or lysozyme Wednesday, July 24, 2013 DNA purification †¢ Cesium chloride gradient centrifugation †¢ Kits Read MoreProtein And Nucleic Acids And Proteins1976 Words   |  8 Pages proteins and nucleic acids, the various structures are involved in varied chemical reactions that take place in the living organism. Task 1 Nucleic acids and proteins These components are mainly found to make up the chromosomes. The proteins and nucleic acids that largely form the chromosomes are intimately related to complexes that are known as the nucleoproteins. There are two key major types of nucleic acids. These are the deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA and the ribonucleic acid or the RNA. BothRead MorePolysaccharides, Lipids, And Nucleic Acids996 Words   |  4 Pagesproteins, fats, and nucleic acids are enzymes responsible for the chemical digestion of each of the macromolecules. Polysaccharides are secreted by carbohydrates in the small intestine and is produced by the pancreas with monosaccharides. Proteins break down to amino acids that get secreted first by the stomach and finish the process in the small intestine. Fats are secreted by small intestine and the process of the conversion of fats is monoglycerides and fatty acids, nucleic acids are broken down toRead MoreLiving Systems Biologically Depend On The Six Major Nutrient Elements885 Words   |  4 Pagescombined with no added PO43-, to select for and isolate GFAJ-1 of Mono Lake. Their data (from ICP-MS, synchrotron x-rays, NanoSIMS, etc) showed As-dependent growth by GFAJ-1 that was accompanied by AsO43- uptake and assimilation into biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites). By using As as a selective agent and excluding P, it was shown that GFAJ-1 is not an obligate arsenophile and grew much better when provided with P. Also, GFAJ-1 coped with the instability of AsO43- esters due to poly-ÃŽ ²-hydroxybutyrateRead MoreEssay On Immunoglobulum1641 Words   |  7 Pagesto combine with microfluid chip-based system. Using the approach of the magnetic field to immobilize the desired target now is became very prevalent in, in-vitro selection process. This technique provides a simple and easy separation of binding nucleic acids by using the magnetic beads to immobilize the desired target and threw away the non-binding library by washing. The magnetic bea ds capture can be by uploading it to the microfluidic device channels by miniaturization and referred to as M-SELEXRead MoreCarbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acid1514 Words   |  7 PagesCarbohydrates, Proteins, lipids, and nucleic Acid Lab Exercise 6 Date: 9/17/12 Bio 102-11 Purpose the purpose of this experiment was to perform test to detect the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Explain the importance of a positive and a negative control in biochemical test. Use biochemical test to identify an unknown compound. Background Most organic compounds in living organisms are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids they are called macromoleculesRead MoreDna From The Nucleic Acid Structure937 Words   |  4 PagesDNA originated from the nucleic acid structure, and it stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Did you know that a fruit fly has four pair of chromosomes, while a rice plant has 12, and a dog has 39? In addition, I did not know how chromosomes were first discovered by â€Å"Scientists looking at cells under the microscope first observed chromosomes in the late 1800s. Researchers gained a much better understanding of chromosomes in the early 1900s through Thomas Hunt Morgan’s pioneering studies. Morgan madeRead MoreBiosynthesis Of Nucleic Acids ... Page Break.. How In The1759 Words   |  8 PagesBiosynthesis of Nucleic Acids Page Break How in the world did the nucleic acid come from and how was it discovered is the question. Well, in 1869 a biochemist by the name Johann Fredrich Miescher (1844-1895) that was Swedish discovered nucleic acids. While biochemist Miescher was looking at cells he saw that there was an odd organic compound in the nucleus. With Miescher seeing this compound he named it nuclein. The organic compound was unique because it had phosphorus and nitrogen in it.