Physical Properties of RNA

Ribonucleic acid or RNA is a polymer or chain of nucleotide units, each comprising a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil), a five-carbon sugar (ribose), and a phosphate group. The sugar and phosphate groups form the polymer’s backbone, while the nitrogenous bases extending from the backbone provide RNA’s distinctive properties. In living cells, RNA in different configurations fulfills several important roles in the process of translating genetic information from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into proteins. Despite its key role in the transfer of genetic information, the physical structure of the enzyme RNA polymerase remains relatively unexplored. The book gives an emphasis on the structure and physical properties of RNA.