Thermodynamics of Aqueous Nucleic Acid Bases and Nucleosides

Authors

Bryan R. McRae, Brigham Young University
Dr. Earl M. Woolley, Brigham Young University

Keywords

thermodynamics, aqueous nucleic acid bases, nucleosides

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Despite the astounding advances in modern genetics research, surprisingly little is known about the thermodynamic behavior and physical properties of DNA’s molecular subunits. Our study investigated several thermodynamic properties of common nucleic acid constituents. Specifically, we calculated the apparent molar volumes (Vφ) and apparent molar heat capacities (Cp,φ) of the nucleosides adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine, and uridine, and of their corresponding bases adenine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil, in dilute aqueous solutions.

Recommended Citation

McRae, Bryan R. and Woolley, Dr. Earl M. (2014) "Thermodynamics of Aqueous Nucleic Acid Bases and Nucleosides," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 1137.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/1137