Nucleic acid metabolism is the process by which nucleotides are synthesized and degraded. Nucleic acid synthesis is an anabolic mechanism generally involving chemical reaction of phosphate, pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. Destruction of nucleic acid is a catabolic procedure generally involving enzyme reactions. DNA and RNA are the main nucleic acids in nucleic acid metabolism.
Famous quotes containing the word metabolism:
“He’s got a fifteen percent metabolism with an overactive thyroid and a glandular affectation of about three percent. With a one percent mentality. He’s what we designate as the Crummy Moronic type.”
—Robert Pirosh, U.S. screenwriter, George Seaton, George Oppenheimer, and Sam Wood. Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush (Groucho Marx)