![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/DNA_RNA_structure_%25281%2529.png/640px-DNA_RNA_structure_%25281%2529.png&w=640&q=50)
Nucleic acid sequence
Succession of nucleotides in a nucleic acid / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about DNA sequences?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
A nucleic acid sequence is a succession of bases within the nucleotides forming alleles within a DNA (using GACT) or RNA (GACU) molecule. This succession is denoted by a series of a set of five different letters that indicate the order of the nucleotides. By convention, sequences are usually presented from the 5' end to the 3' end. For DNA, with its double helix, there are two possible directions for the notated sequence; of these two, the sense strand is used. Because nucleic acids are normally linear (unbranched) polymers, specifying the sequence is equivalent to defining the covalent structure of the entire molecule. For this reason, the nucleic acid sequence is also termed the primary structure.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2014) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/DNA_RNA_structure_%281%29.png/270px-DNA_RNA_structure_%281%29.png)
![The image above contains clickable links](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Interactive_icon.svg/18px-Interactive_icon.svg.png)
The sequence represents genetic information. Biological deoxyribonucleic acid represents the information which directs the functions of an organism.
Nucleic acids also have a secondary structure and tertiary structure. Primary structure is sometimes mistakenly referred to as "primary sequence". However there is no parallel concept of secondary or tertiary sequence.