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Multiple Choice
A nucleotide is composed of a(n) _____.
A
monosaccharide and a disaccharide
B
amino group, carboxyl group, and a side chain
C
glycerol molecule and three fatty acids
D
phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of a nucleotide: A nucleotide is the building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. It consists of three main components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify the phosphate group: This is a molecule containing phosphorus and oxygen atoms. It is responsible for the acidic properties of nucleic acids and helps link nucleotides together in a chain.
Examine the five-carbon sugar: The sugar can be either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA). The difference lies in the presence or absence of an oxygen atom on the second carbon of the sugar.
Understand the nitrogenous base: This is a molecule containing nitrogen atoms and is classified as either a purine (adenine and guanine) or a pyrimidine (cytosine, thymine, and uracil). The base pairs are responsible for encoding genetic information.
Connect the components: The phosphate group is attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar, and the nitrogenous base is attached to the 1' carbon of the sugar. Together, these three components form a nucleotide.