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Edexcel ·Biology·Cambridge AS & A Level Biology

Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

17 min read

DNA and RNA structure, semi-conservative replication, the genetic code, transcription and translation, and mutation.

Structure of nucleic acids

A nucleotide has a pentose sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. DNA has deoxyribose and bases A, T, C, G; RNA has ribose and bases A, U, C, G. Nucleotides join by phosphodiester bonds (sugar–phosphate backbone).

DNA is a double helix of two antiparallel strands held by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases: A–T (2 bonds), C–G (3 bonds). The complementary base pairing underpins accurate replication.

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