nucleotides and nucleic acids

What is a nucleotide?

A nucleotide is the basic structural unit (monomer) of nucleic acids. It consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (pentose), and one or more phosphate groups.

What are the components of a nucleotide?

1. A nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil)
2. A pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA)
3. One to three phosphate groups

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What is the primary function of nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information, which is essential for all known forms of life.

What is a nucleotide?

A nucleotide is the basic structural unit (monomer) of nucleic acids. It consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (pentose), and one or more phosphate groups.

What are the components of a nucleotide?

1. A nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil)
2. A pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA)
3. One to three phosphate groups

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What is the primary function of nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information, which is essential for all known forms of life.

What is the difference in the pentose sugar between DNA and RNA?

DNA contains deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose. Deoxyribose lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' carbon position compared to ribose.

What are the unique nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA?

DNA contains thymine (T) but not uracil (U). RNA contains uracil (U) but not thymine (T). Both contain adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).

What are the two categories of nitrogenous bases, and which bases belong to each?

1. **Pur