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Organic Chemistry

DNA & RNA

DNA:

  • Its monomer is deoxyribonucleotide.
  • There are so many structures of DNA proposed so far, among which Watson and Crick's right-handed beta model is most widely accepted.
  • The two polynucleotide chains in DNA are twisted around a common axis but run in opposite directions to form a right-handed helix.
  • The two DNA stands for are antiparallel (i.e. one 3'-5'and other and complementary.
  • DNA is antiparallel due to a phosphodiester bond.
  • Two strands are held together by H-bonding.
  • Two strands of DNA are complementary.
  • Base pair is very much specific.
  • Two nucleotides are held together by a phosphodiester bond.
  • The bond between sugar and nitrogen base is Glycosidic bond.
  • One complete DNA consists of 10 base pairs.
  • The distance between the two successive base pair is 3.4A0. The width of the DNA is 20 A0.
  • Nitrogen bases in DNA are adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine.

 

RNA:

  • It is a single-stranded polymer of nucleotide.
  • Its monomer is ribonucleotide.
  • There is no pairing of nitrogen bases.
  • In RNA, thymine is replaced by Uracil.
  • Three types: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA.