The << phantom >> structure of solvent and the packing of double-stranded molecules of nucleic acids in particles of mesomorphic dispersions

The properties of mesomorphic dispersions of double-stranded nucleic acids were studied. A comparison of these properties indicates that their diversi ty cannot be explained unambiguously in terms of the conception of Van-der- Waals interactions in particles of mesomorphic dispersions without regard f or the specific properties of the solvent, water, in the vicinity of adjace nt nucleic acid molecules. It was assumed that, with small distances betwee n the molecules of nucleic acids, a specific <<phantom>> structure of the s olvent appears in their vicinity, which acts as an elastic medium that modi fies the interactions between nucleic acid molecules and as a medium in whi ch a collective tunneling of protons can occur. The combination of the two effects determines the <<recognition>> of nucliec acid molecules and the st abilization of the cholesteric structure of mesomorphic dispersions of nucl eic acids.