Nucleic acid sequence

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Nucleic acid sequence is a succession of letters that indicate the order of nucleotides forming alleles within a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecule. By convention, sequences are usually presented from the 5' end to the 3' end. For DNA, the letters A, C, G, and T each stand for a particular nucleotide – adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine respectively. For RNA, the letters A, C, G, and U each stand for adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil respectively.

Structure and Function[edit | edit source]

Nucleic acid sequences are vital in the storage and transmission of genetic information. They are composed of smaller units called nucleotides, which consist of a nucleobase, a five-carbon sugar, and at least one phosphate group. The sequence of these nucleotides determines the genetic information carried by the molecule.

Sequencing Techniques[edit | edit source]

There are several techniques used to determine the sequence of nucleic acids, including Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and pyrosequencing. These techniques have revolutionized the field of genomics and have been instrumental in the completion of the Human Genome Project.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Nucleic acid sequences have a wide range of applications in biological research, medicine, and biotechnology. They are used in genetic testing, forensic science, and in the development of new pharmaceuticals.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Nucleic acid sequence Resources
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