Single-stranded nucleic acid (ssNA) consists of a linear chain of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds. Each nucleotide comprises a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, or uracil), a ribose or deoxyribose sugar, and a phosphate group. Unlike double-stranded nucleic acids, ssNA lacks base pairing and exists as a single, flexible strand. It plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including protein synthesis, gene regulation, and genome maintenance.
