Ribonucleic acid genetic code

Vimses are one of the smallest biological entities (except viroids and prions) that carry all the iaformation necessary for thek own reproduction. They are unique, differing from procaryotes and eucaryotes ia that they carry only one type of nucleic acid as genetic material, which can be transported by the vims from one cell to another. Vimses are composed of a shell of proteki enclosing a core of nucleic acid, either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), that codes for vkal reproduction. The outer shell serves as a protective coat to keep the nucleic acid kitact and safe from enzymatic destmction. In addition to thek proteki coat, some vimses contain an outer covering known as an outer envelope. This outer envelope consists of a Hpid or polysaccharide material. 

The nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), are the chemical carriers of a cell s genetic information. Coded in a cell s DNA is the information that determines the nature of the cell, controls the cell s growth and division, and directs biosynthesis of the enzymes and other proteins required for cellular functions. 

RNA RNA (ribonucleic acid) is an information encoded strand of nucleotides, similar to DNA, but with a slightly different chemical structure. In RNA, the letter U (uracil) is substituted for T in the genetic code. RNA delivers DNA s genetic message to the cytoplasm of a cell where proteins are made. 

Three major components in the transmission of genetic information are deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA), ribonucleic acids (RNA), and proteins. The genetic code expressed through DNA ultimately determines which proteins a cell will produce. Coiled and supercoiled DNA molecules contain numerous sequences of nucleotides that may be transcribed as RNAs and translated to many different proteins. DNA molecules also contain long sequences of nucleotides not coding for protein and whose purpose is not completely understood. A gene is a specific sequence of DNA that encodes a sequence of messenger... 

It is clear that DNA does not play a direct role in the synthesis of proteins and enzymes because most of the protein synthesis takes place outside of the cell nucleus in the cellular cytoplasm, which does not contain DNA. Furthermore, it has been shown that protein synthesis can occur in the absence of a cell nucleus or, equally, in the absence of DNA. Therefore the genetic code in DNA must be passed on selectively to other substances that carry information from the nucleus to the sites of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm. These other substances are ribonucleic acids (RNA), which are polymeric molecules similar in structure to DNA, except that D-2-deoxyribofuranose is replaced by... 

An answer to this apparent riddle is provided by RNA. Ribonucleic acid is actually a DNA equivalent, since it can store and replicate genetic information. Importantly, it is also a protein equivalent, since it can catalyze critical chemical reactions. Indeed, the first life-forms were probably entirely RNA based, and RNA has remained part of our cellular systems (Watson, 2004). Thus, RNA translates the genetic information coded for in our DNA into information that proteins can understand and act upon and does so in a remarkable manner. 

The nucleus of the cell (Figure 1.2) is composed of a porous nuclear membrane, the nucleolus, and soluble materials. The nucleolus contains ribonucleic acids (RNA) and genetic materials also termed chromatin that code for the proteins synthesized upon the ribosomes in the cell cytoplasm. The nuclear membrane is continuous with the outer membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Messenger RNA synthesized in the nucleus is transported across the nuclear membrane and is involved in protein synthesis. It fits into the groove between the large and small rRNA subunits (Figure 1.2)... 

The two major classes of nucleic acids are ribonucleic acids (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). In a typical cell, DNA is found primarily in the nucleus, where it carries the permanent genetic code. The molecules of DNA are huge, with molecular weights up to 50 billion. When the cell divides, DNA replicates to form two copies for the daughter cells. DNA is relatively stable, providing a medium for transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. 

RNA Ribonucleic acid. A macromolecule made of nucleotide sequences similar to DNA, but with uracil instead of thymine as a base and ribose as the backbone sugar instead of deoxyribose. RNA plays a major role in transcription and translation of the genetic code. There are several classes of RNA including mRNA, tRNA and rRNA. 

The ribosome is the enzyme that catalyzes peptide bond formation. The bacterial ribosome is a large 2500 kDa ribonucleic acid/protein complex comprised of a large subunit (LSU or SOS subunit) and a small subunit (SSU or 30S subunit) (Fig. 4.1). The small ribosomal subunit binds to messenger RNA (mRNA) and reads the genetic code by aligning its base triplet codons with anticodons of transfer RNA molecules (tRNA). The large ribosomal subunit binds to opposite ends of tRNA molecules and catalyzes peptide bond formation. 

See also genetic code messenger RNA oligonucleotide RIBONUCLEIC ACID RIBOSOMAL RNA. 

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