nukleinsyre

Nukleinsyre is the collective term for nucleic acids, which are essential macromolecules found in all living organisms. The two primary types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). These molecules are polymers, meaning they are made up of repeating subunits called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar molecule (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base.

DNA serves as the genetic blueprint for all living organisms, carrying the instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. It typically exists as a double helix, with two strands of nucleotides linked by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases. The four bases in DNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), where A always pairs with T, and G always pairs with C.

RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and gene regulation. Unlike DNA, RNA is usually single-stranded and contains uracil (U) instead of thymine. There are several types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes; transfer RNA (tRNA), which brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis; and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which is a structural component of ribosomes. Together, DNA and RNA are fundamental to the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information within cells.