DNA, RNA and Protein
Intelligent-design-&-the-origin-of-life.gif >Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
> Chap1 Evolution of Information
>Chap2 Evolution of Knowledge
>Chap3 Information in Life
>Chap4 Evolution of Insulin
>Chap5 Primordial Soup Evolution
>Chap6 Chemistry and Entropy		 >Chap7 The Second Law
>Chap8 DNA, RNA structure
>Chap9 Origin of  Life
>Chap10 RNA Self Replication
>Chap11 Primordial Soup Myth
>Chap12 Irreducible Complexity
>Chap13 Adenine Synthesis		 >Chap14 ATP synthesis
>Chap15 Natural Selection
>Chap16 Cambrian Explosion
>Chap17 Not Intelligent Design
>Intelligent Design Blog
> The RNA World
> Sitemap

RNA Structure
RNA is very similar to DNA, but it normally does not form the characteristic double helix (twisted ladder). RNA is a mixture of single stranded and double stranded segments (figure 8.7). The 3-D structure is often stabilized by complementary base pairing in short regions (boxes in figure 8.7). RNA uses the base uracil in place of thymine. It also uses ribose instead of deoxyribose (figure 8.6).

Figure 8.5: Detailed DNA Structure

dna-detailed-structure-5_small.GIF (8167 bytes)

Figure 8.6: Ribose, Deoxyribose, Uracil and Thymine

rna-detailed-structure-6_small.GIF (5695 bytes)

Because RNA is a single strand, it does not form the characteristic helix found in DNA, but it can still fold up on itself, creating a complex 3-D structure. Figure 8.7, shows how base pair bonds can stabilize such a structure.

   This 3-D structure is extremely important, because it conveys to RNA some of the properties found in proteins. RNA can regulate chemical reactions just like proteins. This is why RNA has taken center stage in most origin of life theories. RNA can store information and it can regulate chemical reactions. Nevertheless, the initial optimism for self replicating RNA molecules has largely been replaced by doubt. The reasons for the doubt will be discussed in the next two chapters.

Figure 8.7: RNA Structure Stabilized by Base Pair Bonds

rna-detailed-structure-7_small.GIF (5861 bytes)



                  

next: Protein

home: Intelligent Design and the origin of life

 


Pictures From the Galapagos-> Stuff Charles Darwin never Saw

To buy book, click on the cover.

Intelligent Design or Evolution? Why the Origin of Life and the Evolution of Molecular Knowledge Imply Design

 To return home click on logo

  evolution vs intelligent design theory
Copyright Intelligent Design Books Raleigh NC 2005
 

Search theory-of-evolution.net  using PicoSearch
  Help
Site Map
Home