Nucleic Acids

Edexcel AS-level BiologyDNA, Genes and Protein SynthesisLesson 3 of 20

The nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, are polymers of nucleotides, so they are called polynucleotides. In each strand the nucleotides are linked into a sugar-phosphate backbone, with the bases sticking out to one side. The sequence of bases carries genetic information.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid):
• is made of two polynucleotide strands wound around each other to form a double helix
• the two strands run in opposite directions, so they are antiparallel
• the bases point inwards and pair across the middle, holding the strands together

More in DNA, Genes and Protein Synthesis

• Nucleotides
• ATP
• Phosphodiester Bonds
• Complementary Base Pairing
• Evidence for Semi-Conservative DNA Replication
• DNA Replication
• The Genetic Code
• Types of RNA

All 20 lessons in DNA, Genes and Protein Synthesis · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics