Compare and Contrast DNA and Protein Major biological macromolecules such as Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and proteins are essential in maintaining a cell and organism. DNA is a macromolecule that acts as a storage of genetic information in all cells, whereas a protein is a macromolecule which contains one or more polypeptides folded into a specific conformation based on the sequencing of amino acids.[7] DNA and protein will be compared in terms of function, synthesis, and bonding. Function DNA and proteins are essential biological macromolecules, but both perform different functions. Proteins are macromolecules that perform functions such as: structural support for body tissue, regulation of hormones, immunity, oxygen transport, muscle contraction …show more content…
1, DNA is synthesized through replication, whereas proteins are synthesized through Translation. DNA replication is a semi-conservative process resulting in the formation of a complementary strand. Translation is a process of translating RNA into an amino acid sequence, forming polypeptide chains. Both processes require the use of enzymes. However in DNA replication, enzymes such as helicase, ligase and polymerase are used[2] whereas ribosomes are used in translation.[4] Structure and Composition: Bonding DNA and proteins are similar as they are both polymers, produced by repeating monomer units. However, the monomers in DNA chains are nucleotides[15], whereas monomers in proteins are amino acids.[16] A phosphate group, a deoxyribose, and a base form a nucleotide. The phosphate group of a nucleotide joins with the hydroxyl group of an adjacent nucleotide, resulting in a phosphodiester covalent bond, forming a water molecule and a single stranded polynucleotide. Complementary base pairing between two polynucleotide chains are essential in forming double-stranded DNA. These chains are held together by the hydrogen bonds formed by complementary base …show more content…
DNA-protein interactions occur when a protein binds to a DNA molecule through electrostatic, dipolar interactions and dispersion forces.[13] DNA has a negatively charged sugar phosphate backbone, indicating that it is hydrophilic. This characteristic of DNA allows its backbone to form hydrophilic bonds with water molecules.[9] Evidently, bonding between nucleotides are essential in determining the structure of DNA. Likewise, the bonding that occurs within proteins characterizes its