In this article we will discuss about the meaning and structure of nucleic acids. Meaning of Nucleic Acids: Nucleic acids are a long chain polymers of nucleotides which are joined together by means of phosphodiester linkages. In phosphodiester bonds, one phosphoric acid molecule forms bonds with the 3' carbon of one pentose molecule as well as with the 5' carbon [...]
In this article we will discuss about the replication of genetic RNA. Several viruses and bacteriophages contain single- or double-stranded RNA as their genetic material (Table 3.1). Replication of these RNA chromosomes occurs in the host cytoplasm following one of the two modes given below: (i) Direct use of RNA template for RNA synthesis (RNA RNA) by the enzyme -'RNA [...]
The following points highlight the four main stages involved in synthesis of RNA. The stages are: 1. Binding of RNA Polymerase to DNA 2. Initiation of Transcription 3. Elongation of RNA chain 4. Termination of Transcription. Stage # 1. Binding of RNA polymerase to DNA: RNA polymerase binds to the "promoter site" on the DNA molecule. The promoter site is [...]