The process through which nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are created and broken down is known as nucleic acid metabolism. Polymers of nucleotides make up nucleic acids. A typical anabolic process that involves a chemical reaction is nucleotide synthesis, composed of a nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, and phosphate (Delaimy WK et al., 2002). A catabolic process occurs when nucleic acid is destroyed. Nucleotides can also be created from fragments of other nucleotides or nucleobases. Enzymes are needed to promote synthesis and degradation processes. These enzymes can have flaws or deficits that cause a number of illnesses (Armitage A et al., 1978).
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