Slide 1
ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION
Objectives:
• Compare the structure of RNA and DNA
• Explain the importance of hydrogen bonds and
base pairing in DNA replication
• Describe the roles of DNA and RNA in Protein
synthesis
What is DNA?
DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is a molecule that
carries genetic instructions for the development ,
functioning, growth and reproduction of all living
organisms. This consists of two long strands
forming a double helix structure, with each strand
made up of nucleotides containing genetic
information brought together through the
sequences of four nitrogenous bases: (a) Adenine
(b) Thymine (c Guanine and (d) Cytosine
What is RNA?
RNA or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule similar to
DNA with a few structural and functional
differences. RNA plays a crucial role in various
cellular processes, such as protein synthesis. RNA is
most often single-stranded and contains the
nitrogenous bases (1) Adeine, (2) Uracil, (3)
Guanine, (4) Cytosine and (5) Phosphate Backbone.
PLEASE NOTE: There are three types of RNA,
messanger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and
ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
What is tRNA
tRNA, or transfer RNA, is a type of RNA molecule
that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. Its
primary function is to transport amino acids to the
ribosome during the process of translation.
• Amino Acid Transport
• Anticodon Region
• Amino Acid attachment site
• Role in Translation
• Cloverleaf structure
What is rRNA
rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is a type of RNA molecule
that forms an integral part of ribosomes, the cellular
structures responsible for protein synthesis.
Ribosomes consist of a combination of rRNA and
proteins, and they play a crucial role in translating
the genetic code from mRNA (messenger RNA) into
functional proteins.
• Structural component of Ribosomes
• Catalytic Function
• Varieties of rRNA
• Location
• Conserved Structure
• Combination of Proteins
What is rRNA
mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a type of RNA
molecule that serves as a temporary copy of the
genetic instructions encoded in DNA. Its primary
role is to carry this genetic information from the cell
nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where
proteins are synthesized through a process called
translation.
• Transcription Product
• Genetic Code Carrier
• Complementary Base Pairing
• Start and Stop Codons
• Single Stranded Structure
• Short lifespan
Comparison of RNA and DNA
Even though DNA and RNA share similarities in
their chemical makeup they have key structural
differences that contribute to the different functions
and roles that they play within a cell
The importance of hydrogen bonds
and base pairing in DNA replication
DNA replication is the process by which a cell makes an
identical copy of its DNA. This is a fundamental
mechanism in the cell cycle, ensuring that genetic
information is most accurately passed on during cell
division by the following steps:
• Unwinding
• Initiation
• Primer Binding
• Elongation
• Termination
The importance of hydrogen bonds
and base pairing in DNA replication
1. Strand Separation- DNA replication begins with the
unwinding of the double helix structure. Hydrogen
bonds between complementary base pairs (A-T and G-
C) are relatively weak compared to the covalent bonds
holding the backbone together. The hydrogen bonds
between base pairs are easily broken, allowing the two
DNA strands to separate. This forms a replication fork
where the DNA replication process can occur.
2. DNA Synthesis - Each separated DNA strand serves
as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary
strand. - Hydrogen bonding specificity ensures that
adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G)
pairs with cytosine (C) during the synthesis of the new
strand.
The importance of hydrogen bonds
and base pairing in DNA replication
3. Complementary Base Pairing - The specificity of
hydrogen bonding in base pairing ensures the accuracy
of DNA replication. This fidelity is crucial for maintaining
the integrity of genetic information.
4. Enzyme Activity - Enzymes involved in DNA
replication, such as DNA polymerase, rely on hydrogen
bonding for proper base pairing during the addition of
nucleotides to the growing DNA strand.
PLEASE NOTE: Semiconservative replication is a process
observed in DNA replication where each newly
synthesized DNA molecule consists of one original
(parental) strand and one newly synthesized (daughter)
strand. This ensures the preservation of genetic
information from one generation of DNA molecules to
the next.
The roles of DNA and RNA in
protein synthesis
Both DNA and RNA play a role in protein synthesis.
DNA provides the template for the protein that is to be
synthesized, while RNA helps to carry out the actual
synthesis. RNA is responsible for transcribing the DNA
template into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule,
which carries the genetic blueprint from DNA to
ribosomes. As amino acids enter the ribosome, transfer
RNAs (tRNAs) guide them to the appropriate protein.
DNA and RNA not only provide genetic information, but
they also synthesize proteins.
END OF PRESENTATION
