Nukleotides

Nukleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA. A single nukleotide consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and one or more phosphate groups. The nitrogenous bases are further classified into purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine in DNA, and uracil in RNA). These bases are attached to the sugar molecule, which in turn is linked to the phosphate group.

The sequence of these nukleotides within a nucleic acid chain carries the genetic information. The phosphate groups form a sugar-phosphate backbone, linking the nukleotides together through phosphodiester bonds. This arrangement creates a linear polymer. The specific order of the bases along this backbone dictates the genetic code, which directs protein synthesis and other cellular functions. Nukleotides also play crucial roles in cellular energy transfer, with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) being a prime example of an energy-carrying nukleotide. They are essential molecules for life, involved in inheritance, protein production, and energy metabolism.