Question

Give a brief account of different components of a nucleotide.

Hint:

The sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA or RNA determines the genetic information carried by these molecules.

Answer 1

A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). It consists of three main components: 1. Phosphate group: A molecule containing one phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. This group links adjacent nucleotides together to form a strand of nucleic acid. 2. Sugar molecule: In DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose, while in RNA, it is ribose. Both are pentose sugars (five-carbon sugars) that form the backbone of the nucleotide. 3. Nitrogenous base: There are four types of nitrogenous bases: - Purines: Adenine (A) and Guanine (G). - Pyrimidines: Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) in RNA. These components combine to form nucleotides, which are the structural units of nucleic acids.
Final Answer: A nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base.