nukleotids

Nukleotids are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Each nukleotid consists of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (either deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous bases are divided into two categories: purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine in DNA, and uracil in RNA). The specific sequence of these bases along a nucleic acid chain carries genetic information.

Nukleotids play crucial roles in cellular metabolism beyond their function as genetic material. They are essential components of energy-carrying molecules like adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which powers a vast array of biochemical reactions within cells. They also serve as precursors for the synthesis of nucleic acids and are involved in cell signaling pathways. The structure of nukleotids allows them to link together in long chains through phosphodiester bonds, forming the backbone of DNA and RNA. This specific arrangement of components is fundamental to the storage and transmission of genetic information.