What are Nucleotides?
Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA genetic material. Nucleotides are composed of a ribose sugar, a nitrogenous base i.e., adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine in DNA, and adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil in RNA and a phosphate group. A nitrogenous base attached to the ribose sugar plays a critical role in base pairing selectivity in DNA and RNA. These three components together make up the basic building blocks of nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA.
Since complementary base pairs produce hydrogen bonds, the Nucleotide arrangement in DNA forms a double helix shape, holding two strands together. When cells divide and undergo other cellular functions, this structure is crucial for the storage and transfer of genetic information.
What are the Three Main Parts of a Nucleotide?
The Three Main Parts of a Nucleotide are ribose sugar (a five-carbon sugar), a nitrogenous base that is adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine in DNA, and adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil in RNA, and a phosphate group. A crucial component of base pairing selectivity in DNA and RNA is the nitrogenous base, which is joined to the ribose sugar.
The fundamental building units of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are these three elements together. DNA and RNA are responsible for passing genetic information from parents to offspring. In this article, we will learn about the Structure, Characteristics, and Functions of the Three Parts of Nucleotides.
Table of Content
- What are Nucleotides?
- Diagram of Three Main Parts of Nucleotide
- What Are the Three Main Parts of a Nucleotide?
- Structure of Nucleotides
- Functions of Nucleotide