Nukleinsyrene

Nukleinsyrene, in some languages the term used for nucleic acids, are biopolymers that store, transmit, and implement genetic information in living organisms and many viruses. They are built from units called nucleotides, each containing a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, and guanine plus thymine in DNA or uracil in RNA). The nucleotides connect through phosphodiester bonds to form long chains with a sugar–phosphate backbone.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, typically exists as a double-stranded helix with bases pairing A with T and C with G. This arrangement enables reliable replication and long-term storage of genetic information. In eukaryotes, DNA is primarily located in the cell nucleus, with additional genetic material in mitochondria and chloroplasts.

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is usually single-stranded and uses uracil instead of thymine. RNA molecules function in gene expression and regulation, and include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). RNA transcribes genetic information from DNA and participates in translating it into proteins, as well as performing catalytic and regulatory roles in some cases.

Key biological roles of nucleic acids include replication, transcription, and translation, enabling genes to be expressed as functional products. They also participate in genome organization, repair, and regulation. In biotechnology and medicine, nucleic acids are central to techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and gene therapy.

Overall, nucleic acids are fundamental to the storage, transmission, and execution of genetic information across all living systems.