This is a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the structures and physical chemistry properties of nucleic acids, with special emphasis on biological function. The book has been carefully organised to meet the needs of molecular biologists, physical biochemists and physical chemists with only a basic understanding of physical chemistry and molecular biology. Nucleic Acids will serve as a textbook in physical biochemistry and biophysical chemistry classes, as well as a supplemental text in courses on nucleic acid biochemistry or molecular biology, and as a personal reference for students and researchers in these fields.