Role of Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids, more commonly known as DNA and RNA, are the genetic information banks of the cell. They are involved in repair processes and in the reproduction processes of a cell. The codes contained inside these materials are responsible for maintaining the life of an organism, as well as in supporting its daily functions.
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Identification
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The primary roles of nucleic acids are to store a cell's genetic information and transfer this information to other areas of the cell. This transfer of information is what directs a cell to manufacture the proteins needed for it to function. DNA and RNA molecules provide a way to code this information within their structures as well as provide decoding instructions for the cell's use. Once this information is decoded, certain organisms within the cell translate the protein synthesis instructions needed for cell repair and maintenance. In addition, DNA molecules provide a means for replicating or duplicating their structures for cell division purposes.
RNA Roles
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RNA nucleic acid roles are designed to implement the genetic instructions contained in the DNA materials. To do this, RNA molecules are positioned in strategic areas throughout the cell's cytoplasm, while DNA molecules reside in the cell's nucleus. Three different types of RNA--mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA--coordinate the process of converting genetic instructions into actual cell processes. The nucleic acids also help with coordinating the protein synthesis processes that provide the cell with energy and nutrients.
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DNA Roles
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DNA nucleic acids have a well-defined structure made up of two strands connected by nucleotides and hydrogen bonds. The nucleotides have their own chemical structure, with each containing a sugar, a phosphate group and a base material. The order in which nucleotides are arranged on a DNA strand determines the code for that strand. In the process of dividing, each strand is copied individually after the DNA molecule splits in half. The result is two daughter cells with identical genetic information. This process is called "DNA replication."
Communication Roles
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In the process of replicating new strands, DNA molecules also manufacture corresponding RNA strands. The mRNA, or messenger RNA strands, are created to carry the cell's genetic instructions. The rRNA, or ribosomal RNA strands, situated in the cell's cytoplasm, receive these instructions and then translates them into cell processes. The tRNA, or transfer RNA strands, then carry out the actual instructions contained in the DNA code through protein synthesis. The making of proteins requires tRNA to regulate a series of chemical processes using the cell's amino acid materials.
Protein Synthesis
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The protein synthesis process uses the coded information provided by the nucleotides to assemble different forms of protein out of amino acid materials. There are 20 different amino acids present in the body. Based on the information contained in the tRNA molecules, amino acid chains are manufactured according to the genetic instructions for the cell. Each amino acid chain represents a type of protein molecule. As cell types can vary depending on the part of the body, the genetic instructions are designed to provide a cell with the instructions and materials it needs to maintain its specific area of the body.
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