Mononukleotidide

Mononukleotidide, more commonly known as mononucleotides, are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Each mononucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (either deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous bases are further categorized into two types: purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine in DNA, and uracil in RNA).

These individual units link together through phosphodiester bonds to form long chains, creating the polynucleotide structure of nucleic acids. The sequence of these bases along the nucleic acid chain carries the genetic information. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine. In RNA, uracil replaces thymine, so adenine pairs with uracil, and guanine pairs with cytosine. Mononucleotides also play vital roles in cellular energy transfer, with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) being a prime example. ATP serves as the primary energy currency of the cell, releasing energy when its phosphate bonds are broken. Beyond energy and genetic material, mononucleotides are also involved in cell signaling pathways and as components of coenzymes essential for various metabolic processes.