What are the differences between amino acid and nucleic acid?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Amino acid

Nucleic acid

Definition

Is the building block of proteins

Is the genetic material of living things

Chemical nature

Is a simple organic molecule that contains both carboxyl and amino groups

Is a complex organic macromolecule such as DNA or RNA, made up of many nucleotides linked in a long chain

Atoms

C, H, O, N, and S

C, H, O, N, and P

Functional groups

Contains carboxylic groups and amino groups

Contains pentose sugars, nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups

Polymer/Monomer

Is a monomer

Is a polymer

Type of bonds between monomers

Peptide bonds occur between amino acids

Phosphodiester bonds occur between nucleotides

Serves as a foundation for

Proteins

Nucleotide

General structure

Contains a hydrogen atom, a side chain (R group), a carboxyl group and an amine group attached to a central carbon atom

Contains a large number of nucleotides bonded to each other via phosphodiester bonds

Types

Many types depending on the R group

2 major types - DNA and RNA

Synthesis

May be synthesized or obtained from the diet

Are synthesized inside the cell by DNA replication and transcription

Functions

Is used in mRNA translation as building blocks of proteins

Stores genetic information of the cell and is involved in synthesis of functional proteins

Basis of differentiation	Amino acid	Nucleic acid
Definition	Is the building block of proteins	Is the genetic material of living things
Chemical nature	Is a simple organic molecule that contains both carboxyl and amino groups	Is a complex organic macromolecule such as DNA or RNA, made up of many nucleotides linked in a long chain
Atoms	C, H, O, N, and S	C, H, O, N, and P
Functional groups	Contains carboxylic groups and amino groups	Contains pentose sugars, nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups
Polymer/Monomer	Is a monomer	Is a polymer
Type of bonds between monomers	Peptide bonds occur between amino acids	Phosphodiester bonds occur between nucleotides
Serves as a foundation for	Proteins	Nucleotide
General structure	Contains a hydrogen atom, a side chain (R group), a carboxyl group and an amine group attached to a central carbon atom	Contains a large number of nucleotides bonded to each other via phosphodiester bonds
Types	Many types depending on the R group	2 major types - DNA and RNA
Synthesis	May be synthesized or obtained from the diet	Are synthesized inside the cell by DNA replication and transcription
Functions	Is used in mRNA translation as building blocks of proteins	Stores genetic information of the cell and is involved in synthesis of functional proteins