What are nucleic acids? Mention their two important functions.

Nucleic acids are biomolecules which are found in the nuclei of all living cells in the form of nucleoproteins or chromosomes (proteins containing nucleic acids as the prosthetic group). Nucleic acids are of two types : deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The two main functions of nucleic acids are : (i) DNA is responsible for transmission of hereditary effects from one generation to another. This is due to the daughter cells. (ii) DNA and RNA are responsible for synthesis of all proteins needed for the growth and maintenance of our body. Actually the proteins are synthesised by varies RNA molecules (y−RNA,m−RNA and t−RNA) in the cell but the message for the synthesis of a particular protein is given by DNA molecules.

What is glycogen? How is it different from starch?

Glycogen is a carbohydrate (polysaccharide). In animals, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen. When the body needs glucose, enzymes present in the body break glycogen down to glucose. Starch is a carbohydrate consisting of two components - amylose ( 15 - 20 % ) and amylopectin ( 80 - 85 % ) whereas glycogen consists of only one component whose structure is similar to amylopectin. Glycogen is more branched Amylopectin.

What are amino acids? Give two examples.

Amino acids are organic compounds containing amine and carboxyl functional groups, along with a side chain specific to each amino acid. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, although other elements are found in the side chains of certain amino acids. About 500 naturally occurring amino acids are known and can be classified in many ways. They can be classified according to the core structural functional groups' locations as alpha-, beta-, gamma- or delta- amino acids; other categories relate to polarity, pH level, and side chain group type. In the form of proteins, amino acid residues form the second-largest component of human muscles and other tissues. Two examples of amino acids are Glycine and Valine.