Chapter 4: Nucleic Acids and Mechanisms of Replication, Transcription, and Translation

Author: Mr. Pankaj Kumar Bharati
Volume: 01
First Online: 2026
Pages: 173-231
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63785/978-81-685195-6-5/04

Nucleic acids are fundamental biomolecules responsible for the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information in all living organisms. This chapter explains the structure and biological importance of DNA and RNA, along with the chemistry of nitrogenous bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides. It describes the Watson–Crick double helix model and the structural conformations of DNA, including A-, B-, and Z-DNA, as well as nucleosome organization and higher-order chromatin structure. The chapter further discusses DNA replication in prokaryotes, transcriptional mechanisms, and the genetic code governing protein synthesis through translation. These molecular processes ensure accurate inheritance, gene expression, and cellular function. A thorough understanding of nucleic acid structure and gene expression forms the basis of molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and modern biomedical research, contributing to advances in genetic engineering, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic innovation.