Articles related to "What Is Nucleic Acid"

This collection of articles explores the components and function of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the cellular energy carrier ATP.

Prior to cell division, a new copy of DNA must be built. And in order for our cells to make proteins, RNA must be created from the DNA template. How is this accomplished?

RNA, ribonucleic acid, is the genetic material that transcribes DNA's instructions and translates instruction into construction of protein.

What are deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acid made of, and how are these big molecules of genetic information built? This article explains the basics.

Nucleic acids, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are the vital genetic blueprints, messengers and builders of the cellular world.

New study demonstrates that genes recognize other genes that have similar base pair sequences, a discovery that can help us understand DNA repair and genetic diversity.

What kind of molecules are nucleotides and nucleic acids and what are they made of? This article covers the basics.

In order to be effective, antiviral agents must be capable of reaching the infected organ(s) and preventing viral replication without affecting host cell function.

Viral genomes might be small, but, as dsDNA, ssDNA, dsRNA or SS RNA, they show much more variation in form than is found in the genetic material of living cells.

The result of these genetic mistakes can range from no effect on the organism to the production a defective cellular protein that may have disastrous implications.

There is an ordered regularity to the pandemonium of life on Earth.

Heat, applied through boiling and autoclaving is used to sterilize. But how does heat destroy cells and viruses? Here is a simple explanation of heat's mode of action.

A look at the differences in structure between viruses, and how viruses reproduce.

A mutation is a rare change in a gene's DNA sequence that can result in a defective cellular protein. This article covers the basics of genetic mutation.

DNA, enzymes, fats, carbohydrates and hormones are all part of the discipline of Biochemistry.

Although they appear to behave as living things, viruses, viroids and prions are nonliving particles. Read on and discover more about these 'smart' parasites.

What is the difference between an organic and an inorganic molecule? What substances are within the realm of organic chemistry? Read on and discover.

Viruses are not living cells, but efficient parasites that commandeer living cells and turn them into virus factories. Learn how these nonliving particles act so smart.

The genetic material of a virus can be either DNA or RNA, and if it is single-stranded RNA, the biologist must then make sense of the type of strand.

Also called DNA fingerprinting, this type of genetic testing compares segments of DNA by using special proteins called restriction enzymes to cut up the DNA molecule.

Heat, UV radiation, antibiotics and chemicals are all used to control bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. How to they kill pathogens without hurting our cells?

This article series provides information of how mitotic and meiotic cell division differ and how these processes are integral to the human life cycle.

The genetic blueprint of every human contains a significant amount of DNA that is not actually human. Dormant fossil viruses have infiltrated our genome.

Carbs, also known as saccharides, are organic molecules that are used as energy sources, structural molecules and as components of other biological molecules.

What are the different kinds of lipids? What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats? Read on and discover.

Infectious disease can result of cellular organisms, such as bacteria (prokaryotes), from eukaryotes (cells like ours) or from nonliving infectious agents.

Bacteriophages reproduce by commandeering a bacterium and ultimately killing it. But sometimes, through lysogeny, the phage doesn't immediately take over its host.

Spontaneous generation is the debunked idea that life can, on a daily basis, arise from nonliving material. Abiogenesis attempts to explain how life on Earth began.

Theories about the first life forms tend to agree on what had to happen, but differ in their explanations of where and how. There are three strong contenders.

A common misconception is that ATP can be used to determine the direction of a reaction. ATP is used to make activated intermediates that are macromolecular precursors.

Pathology is a diverse, important part of medicine in the study of disease. New research in diagnostic methods allow easier, faster treatment of cancer and infections.

It is important for biology students who study DNA to understand the function and structure of this important molecule in the cell.

All living things are composed of one or more cells. Unlike cells, viruses, viroids and prions are acellular, nonliving parasites that require a living host to reproduce.

The history and structure of the most important molecule in living organisms, Deoxyribonucleic Acid.

DNA paternity testing makes it possible to, with a very high degree of certainty, determine the identity of a child's biological father. Here's how.

Living things can be studied and classified based on their genome as well as the protein products derived from those genetic instructions.

The longer one lives, the greater the impact of stress caused by free radicals. A new study shows pigments in plant- derived foods can minimize stress' harmful effects.

2-D electrophoresis provides facts and primal data by its clear separations of protein and DNA molecules. For proteomics, 2-DE gives insight into proteins and genomes.

Genetic technology is used to investigate paternity. By employing an electrical current to separate DNA fragments, the genetic similarity of individuals can be assessed.

Here are links to free worksheets that can help science educators assess students' understanding of cell division, DNA transcription and translation.

Enzymes bind to particular molecules, because the protein secondary structure rigidly displays amino acid functional groups that make multiple bonds with the molecules.

This series of articles explores how viruses that exclusively infect bacterial cells recognize the hosts they parasitize and reproduce once the bacterium is infected.

Learn about the chemical bonds and different levels of structure that take amino acid monomers to a whole other level, a more complex protein polymer.

Some living things reproduce by cloning; producing offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Organisms that procreate sexually create genetic novelty.

Bacteriophages are a special type of virus that exclusively infects bacterial cells. Here's how they recognize, take over and ultimately kill their host bacteria.

When is DNA considered a chromosome? What is a sister chromatid and how does it differ from a chromosome? The article unravels some of the lingo of DNA.

Bacteria are living cells with DNA genomes that direct the production of enzymes required for metabolism. Viruses are not alive. What does the viral genome do?

The metabolism and functions of folate or folic acid are complicated. Having a simple understanding of these processes helps us understand the importance of daily intake.

Researchers use the genetic material from 3 people to circumvent mutations in the mother's mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA).

Possible origins and sources of organic chemicals on the early Earth providing the organic soup that gave rise to life.