Chapter 3 - Nucleic acids: Components, nomenclature, types, and protection method

Abstract

Each and every living species resembles that they are all descended from a common ancestor. All organisms, i.e., living cell, inherit the genetic information passed and replicate from parents to their offspring. This is known as heredity. Chromosomes are responsible for this heredity. Chromosomes consist of protein and nucleic acids. Nucleic acids are the storage of genetic information. It is an example of biopolymer because of long-chain polymer of nucleotide. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are two types of nucleic acids. DNA and RNA have an important function in the biological system. DNA can store as well as transfer genetic information and also take part in the synthesis of new DNA and RNA. RNA has a crucial rule in protein synthesis. Basic structures of both the nucleic acids are very similar but only difference is in one base.