The Molecules of Life: Nucleic Acids

This lecture explores the structure and function of complex organic molecules, focusing on nucleic acids. It covers the role of complementary base pairing in nucleic acid functions, the components of nucleic acids (phosphate group, nitrogenous base, monosaccharide), and the different functions of nucleic acids in storing genetic information, gene expression, and catalyzing RNA maturation. The lecture also delves into the organization of DNA around histones in eukaryotes, the positioning of chromosomes in the nucleus, and the impact of gene expression changes on gene location. Various experiments, such as Griffith's transformation experiment and Hershey and Chase's phage experiment, are discussed to illustrate the significance of nucleic acids as the genetic material.