Name: Matt
Status: Educator
Age: 50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: September 2002
Question:
What is the chemical formula for DNA? What is it's atomic
weight? Is there a web site I can find the same for various amino acids
and other proteins?
Replies:
DNA has a basic formula. A five carbon sugar (ribose) missing an
oxygen, a phosphate ion, and one of four nucleotides. Any molecular
biology textbook displays the basic formulas. The atomic weight of each
can be determined, but it is not practical since the various
combinations to make a code for a protein is so numerous. Separate the
individual components and you can determine their atomic weight. I
suggest a library.
All known natural occurring proteins are available on the web in any
configuration you wish to have. Unfortunately, they are commercial
sites and sell their licenses to colleges, universities and private
interests. I can not help you here, except to say that if you know the
name of a particular protein, use www.google.com to search for it. You
may find what you want using this method.
The twenty-two amino acids that make up living things are commonly found
in common references. One site of many is listed below and provides what
you ask.
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