What is the difference between protein and nucleic acid structures?

Answer 1

Nucleic acids are substances like DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) that were initially found to exist in the nuclei of cells (hence the name). They are very long molecules made of a phosphate and sugar backbone that supports different bases that provide genetic instructions for organisms. They also have many other functions and locations that are constantly being discovered.

Proteins are also long molecules, but they are made up of amino acids (AAs) in a "string" held together by peptide bonds. Each AA has one part that is the same as all the others and one part that is unique. In humans, for example, there are about 20 AAs that are used in varying sequences to make different proteins, and the body creates variations on these 20 by modifying them in different ways. Proteins make up a very large percent of the structure of the human body and also exist as enzymes that perform all the myriad of bodily functions.

Answer 2

Nucleic acids are polymers made of monomers called nucleotides. The two types are nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), enable living organisms to reproduce their complex components from one generation to the next. Nucleic acids are the basis of inheritance in all organisms. DNA helical strands are the basis of the continuity of inheritance between generations and species. Non-translated nucleic acids are involved in translation of mRNA to produce proteins and other functions.

Proteins are made up of amino acids monomers. An amino acid has at least two carbon atoms in a short chain. One carbon atom is the center of a carboxyl group, the other one bears a nitrogen bearing amino group and a radical group, or side chain, which distinguishes one amino acid from the next. When the essential amino acids hook up in a chain they form a protein. There are many functions of proteins, for example: enzymes produce metabolic pathways, sequence binding to regulate gene expression, cell signaling to regulate cellular metabolic reactions, and defensive as antibodies or restriction enzymes.

Proteins and nucleic acids are both important biological macromolecules. They both have carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. They are similar in that, during the synthesis of the macromolecules, these molecular components are covalently bound to each other, making a string of nucleotides or a string of amino acids. Proteins and nucleic acids are also similar in that both have tertiary structure to them. In proteins, the kinds of folds are alpha helices and pleated sheets, and in nucleotides, helices are formed by the DNA molecule, and a similar kind of structure is formed by the single-stranded RNA molecule.

Answer 3

Protein is a molecule that is made up of amino acids and that is needed to build up and repair body structures and to regulate processes in the body, While nucleic acid is a molecule made up of subunits called nucleotides.

Answer 4

Nucleic acids and proteins are two separate types of organic molecules.