Nucleic acids are macromolecules of a chemical nature, formed by nucleotides, phosphoric groups, carbohydrates and bases. These macromolecules (with high molecular mass) are present in the genetic material contained in the cells of all living beings.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are variations of nucleic acids. Considering the primary structure, DNA and RNA acids can be seen as a linear chain composed of simple chemical units called nucleotides. A nucleotide is a chemical compound and has three parts: a phosphate group (phosphoric acid), a pentose (sugar molecule with five carbons) and an organic base (nitrogen base).
The chemical characteristics of each of these components:
• Phosphoric acid: gives acidity to nucleic acids.
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• Pentoses: pentose is part of the chemical composition of DNA and ribose is part of the constitution of RNA.
• Nitrogen bases: Nitrogen-containing bases bind with deoxyribose sugar and phosphates. They can be of two types:
- double ring bases (purine): adenine and guanine;
- single ring bases (pyrimidine): thymine, cytosine and uracil.
Nucleic acids are the biomolecules of cellular control, they constitute the chemical basis of heredity as they contain genetic information.
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
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Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Chemical nature of nucleic acids"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/natureza-quimica-acidos-nucleicos.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
