Nucleic Acids: Structures, Properties and Functions

Nucleic acids are biopolymers, or large biomolecules, composed of organic molecules called nucleotides. They are essential to all known forms of life. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are the two main classes of nucleic acids. If the sugar is ribose, the polymer is RNA. In case the sugar is the ribose derivative deoxyribose, then the polymer is DNA. Nucleic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that act as the primary information-carrying molecules in cells and make up the genetic material. The information of every living cell of every life-form on Earth is created, encoded and stored by nucleic acids. In turn, they function to transfer and convey that information inside and outside the cell nucleus to the internal operations of the cell and ultimately to the next generation of each living organism. This book unravels the recent studies in the field of nucleic acids. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by this book.