Chapter 17: Problem 8
Identify each of the following as a nucleoside or nucleotide: a. deoxythymidine b. guanosine c. deoxyadenosine-5'-monophosphate d. uridine- \(5^{\prime}\) -monophosphate
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. nucleoside, b. nucleoside, c. nucleotide, d. nucleotide
Step by step solution
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Nucleosides
Nucleosides are a fundamental unit in molecular biology. They consist of two parts: a nitrogenous base and a sugar molecule. The sugar can either be a ribose or a deoxyribose. This structure distinguishes nucleosides from other molecules involved in genetic material.
A key point to remember is that nucleosides do not include any phosphate groups. They are the building blocks that, when combined with phosphate groups, form nucleotides. Examples of nucleosides include deoxythymidine and guanosine, which are mentioned in the exercise.
A key point to remember is that nucleosides do not include any phosphate groups. They are the building blocks that, when combined with phosphate groups, form nucleotides. Examples of nucleosides include deoxythymidine and guanosine, which are mentioned in the exercise.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are crucial molecules for life, forming the basic structural unit of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. A nucleotide is composed of three parts:
- A nitrogenous base
- A sugar molecule (either ribose or deoxyribose)
- One or more phosphate groups
Nucleotides are more complex than nucleosides because they include the additional phosphate group(s). For instance, deoxyadenosine-5’-monophosphate and uridine-5’-monophosphate are nucleotides. These molecules play significant roles in cellular processes, including energy transfer and cell signaling.
- A nitrogenous base
- A sugar molecule (either ribose or deoxyribose)
- One or more phosphate groups
Nucleotides are more complex than nucleosides because they include the additional phosphate group(s). For instance, deoxyadenosine-5’-monophosphate and uridine-5’-monophosphate are nucleotides. These molecules play significant roles in cellular processes, including energy transfer and cell signaling.
Nitrogenous Bases
Nitrogenous bases are aromatic molecules that contain nitrogen atoms. They are an essential component of both nucleosides and nucleotides. There are two types of nitrogenous bases: purines and pyrimidines.
Purines, which include adenine and guanine, have a two-ring structure. Pyrimidines, such as thymine, cytosine, and uracil, have a single-ring structure. These bases pair specifically in DNA and RNA (adenine with thymine or uracil, and cytosine with guanine), allowing the molecules to store and transmit genetic information.
Purines, which include adenine and guanine, have a two-ring structure. Pyrimidines, such as thymine, cytosine, and uracil, have a single-ring structure. These bases pair specifically in DNA and RNA (adenine with thymine or uracil, and cytosine with guanine), allowing the molecules to store and transmit genetic information.
Phosphate Groups
Phosphate groups are vital for the functionality of nucleotides. They consist of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. One or more phosphate groups can be attached to the 5' carbon of a sugar in a nucleotide.
The presence of phosphate groups distinguishes nucleotides from nucleosides. Phosphate groups play a critical role in the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids. Additionally, they are important in energy transfer within cells, particularly in molecules like ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
The presence of phosphate groups distinguishes nucleotides from nucleosides. Phosphate groups play a critical role in the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids. Additionally, they are important in energy transfer within cells, particularly in molecules like ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Deoxyribose Sugar
Deoxyribose sugar is a type of sugar molecule found in DNA. It is a five-carbon sugar that lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' carbon position, which is why it is called 'deoxy'. This minor structural difference compared to ribose sugar profoundly affects the stability and compactness of DNA.
Deoxyribose sugar forms part of the backbone of DNA when it connects with phosphate groups. It binds to nitrogenous bases to form nucleosides, which can be further phosphorylated to become nucleotides. Examples include deoxyadenosine and deoxythymidine.
Deoxyribose sugar forms part of the backbone of DNA when it connects with phosphate groups. It binds to nitrogenous bases to form nucleosides, which can be further phosphorylated to become nucleotides. Examples include deoxyadenosine and deoxythymidine.
Ribose Sugar
Ribose sugar is a pivotal component in RNA. Unlike deoxyribose, ribose has one more oxygen atom bonded to the 2' carbon. This structural variation makes RNA more reactive and less stable compared to DNA.
Ribose sugar is key in forming the nucleosides and nucleotides in RNA. For example, guanosine and uridine are nucleosides that include ribose. When these nucleosides link to phosphate groups, they form nucleotides like uridine-5'-monophosphate, crucial for RNA functions in protein synthesis and regulation.
Ribose sugar is key in forming the nucleosides and nucleotides in RNA. For example, guanosine and uridine are nucleosides that include ribose. When these nucleosides link to phosphate groups, they form nucleotides like uridine-5'-monophosphate, crucial for RNA functions in protein synthesis and regulation.
