Read this article to learn about Composition and Structure of the Nucleic Acids: DNA & RNA ! There are two major classes of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. Both are composed of un-branched chains of units called nucleotides, each of which contains: (1) A nitrogenous base (either a purine or pyrimidine), (2) A pentose, and (3) Phosphoric acid. In RNA, [...]
The Discovery of DNA: Friedrich Miescher (Swiss, 1844-1895) is credited with the discovery of nucleic acid in 1869. He isolated nuclei from white blood cells present in pus, using dilute solutions of hydrochloric acid to dissolve away other cell structures and then adding the protein- digesting enzyme pepsin to further degrade residual cell protein adhering to the nuclei. Nuclei isolated [...]
All cells are composed of water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, salts, and minute quantities of a diversity of organic compounds such as vitamins and intermediates of cellular metabolism. The proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are compounds called biomolecules, and the larger of these molecules such as the proteins and nucleic acids are also called macromolecules. Water, ionized salts, [...]