Question

2. You are studying the macromolecules present in a bacterial culture suspension. What are the types of nucleic acids that can be present in the given culture suspension and what do they have in common. Distinguish between them in terms of their chemical composition, nucleotides present in each, location in the cell, and function.

Answer 1

In a bacterial culture suspension, the nucleic acids present are DNA and RNA, which are crucial for carrying genetic information and cellular instructions. DNA, with its deoxyribonucleotides, carries hereditary information, while RNA, comprised of ribonucleotides, is involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Types of Nucleic Acids in a Bacterial Culture

The types of nucleic acids that can be present in a bacterial culture suspension are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Both types of nucleic acids are macromolecules essential for the continuity of life, carrying genetic information and instructions for cellular functions.

DNA and RNA differ in their chemical composition, nucleotides, location, and function:

DNA: Composed of deoxyribonucleotides, DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose. Its nucleotides are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). DNA is usually found within the cell, not enclosed in a membranous envelope in prokaryotes such as bacteria, and it carries the hereditary information vital for replication and function.

RNA: Made of ribonucleotides, RNA includes the sugar ribose, and its nucleotides are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U) instead of thymine. RNA is typically found throughout the cell and is instrumental in translating genetic information from DNA into proteins, playing a key role in gene expression and regulation.

Answer 2

DNA and RNA are the types of nucleic acids that can be present in a bacterial culture suspension. They have similar chemical compositions, consisting of nucleotides. However, they differ in terms of nucleotide composition, location in the cell, and function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The types of nucleic acids that can be present in a bacterial culture suspension are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Both DNA and RNA are macromolecules composed of nucleotides. They have similar chemical compositions, with each nucleotide consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a phosphate group. However, they differ in terms of their nucleotide composition, location in the cell, and function.

DNA is the genetic material found in all living organisms and carries the hereditary information of a cell. It is found in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the DNA is not enclosed in a nucleus. DNA is composed of four nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). It serves as a template for the synthesis of RNA and proteins.

RNA, on the other hand, is involved in various cellular processes, including protein synthesis. It is found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. RNA is composed of four nucleotides: adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). There are different types of RNA, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), each with specific functions in protein synthesis.