Question

What are nucleosides? Explain.

Hint:

Nucleosides form the basic building blocks of nucleotides, which are essential for genetic material synthesis.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Nucleosides.
Nucleosides are organic molecules consisting of a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine) attached to a sugar molecule (either ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA).
Step 2: Structure of Nucleosides.
A nucleoside is formed when a base is linked to the sugar molecule through a glycosidic bond. In RNA, the sugar is ribose, while in DNA, it is deoxyribose.
Step 3: Examples of Nucleosides.
Examples of nucleosides include: 1. Adenosine (formed from adenine and ribose) 2. Guanosine (formed from guanine and ribose) 3. Thymidine (formed from thymine and deoxyribose)
Step 4: Conclusion.
Nucleosides play a key role in the structure of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Nucleosides are composed of a nitrogenous base and a sugar molecule.}} \]