Question

Identify the 2 types of nucleic acids and give 2 methods of staining the nucleic acids.

a) DNA and RNA; Acridine orange and DAπstaining
b) mRNA and tRNA; Hematoxylin and Eosin staining
c) Ribosomal RNA and Transfer RNA; Methylene blue and Crystal violet staining
d) rRNA and sRNA; Giemsa and Wright staining

Answer 1

The two main types of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA, with DNA serving as genetic material and RNA involved in protein synthesis. Acridine orange and DAPI are two staining methods used to visualize nucleic acids under the microscope.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the hereditary material present in all living organisms and stores the genetic information necessary for the structure and function of the organism. RNA plays a critical role in the synthesis of proteins and can be found in various forms such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

Common methods of staining nucleic acids for observation purposes include the use of Acridine orange and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). Acridine orange is a fluorescent dye that can bind to both DNA and RNA and can differentiate between them based on the fluorescence color emitted under ultraviolet light. DAPI specifically binds to the minor groove of DNA, providing a strong blue fluorescence when bound, thereby allowing the visualization of DNA in microscopy studies.