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Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
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Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
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The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...

Nucleic Acids

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RNA Structure

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Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA

Published on: April 26, 2013

Molecular modeling of nucleic acid structure.

T E Cheatham¹, B R Brooks, P A Kollman

¹National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry

|April 23, 2008

Summary

This study introduces molecular modeling for analyzing nucleic acid structures. It covers computer simulations, static models, graphics, energy principles, and 3D structure characterization.

Area of Science:

Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Computational Chemistry

Background:

Molecular modeling is crucial for understanding complex biological molecules.
Nucleic acid structure analysis requires advanced computational techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an introductory overview of computer simulations for nucleic acid analysis.
To lay the foundation for a series on molecular modeling of nucleic acids.

Main Methods:

Introduction to static structure models for nucleic acids.
Explanation of computational graphics and energy models.
Methods for generating initial molecular models.
Techniques for characterizing three-dimensional nucleic acid structures.

Main Results:

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Overview of fundamental concepts in nucleic acid molecular modeling.
Understanding of static and dynamic simulation approaches.
Principles for building and analyzing nucleic acid models.

Conclusions:

Computer simulation is a powerful tool for nucleic acid structure analysis.
This unit serves as a foundational introduction to the series.