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### Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are of singular importance to biochemistry and molecular biology. The techniques for sequencing, synthesizing, and altering nucleic acids are continually advancing. **Nucleoside triphosphates occupy a central role in cellular metabolism, serving as an energy curren...

### Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are of singular importance to biochemistry and molecular biology. The techniques for sequencing, synthesizing, and altering nucleic acids are continually advancing. **Nucleoside triphosphates occupy a central role in cellular metabolism, serving as an energy currency and as important regulatory signals. ATP is the ultimate product of catabolic pathways, providing fuel for anabolic pathways.** This chapter provides an overview of the chemical nature of the nucleotides and nucleic acids found in most cells, as well as the tools used to study them. A more detailed examination of the function of nucleic acids is the focus of Part III of this text.