9.3. Carbon and Living Things http://www.ck12.org
http://nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/dna_double_helix/readmore.html
FIGURE 9.24
DNA has the shape of a double helix
because of hydrogen bonds between ni-
trogen bases.Functions of Nucleic Acids
DNA stores genetic information in the cells of all living things. It contains the genetic code. This is the code that
instructs cells how to make proteins. The instructions are encoded in the sequence of nitrogen bases in the nucleotide
chains of DNA. RNA "reads" the genetic code in DNA and is involved in the synthesis of proteins based on the code.
This video shows how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxobgkPEAo (2:51).
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5093Lesson Summary
- A biochemical compound is any carbon-based compound found in living things. Most biochemical com-
pounds are polymers that contain oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements in addition to carbon and hydrogen.