Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and one or more phosphate groups. The specific arrangement of these components determines the nucleotide's identity and function within the genetic material.
Recommended video:
Naming Nucleosides and Nucleotides Concept 2
Nitrogenous Bases
Nitrogenous bases are organic molecules that contain nitrogen and are essential for the structure of nucleotides. In DNA, the primary bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). In the case of dTMP, the base is thymine, which pairs with adenine in the DNA double helix.
Recommended video:
Nitrogenous Bases Example 3
Pentose Sugar
The pentose sugar in nucleotides is a five-carbon sugar that can be either ribose or deoxyribose. In DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose, which lacks one oxygen atom compared to ribose. In dTMP, the sugar component is deoxyribose, which is crucial for the stability and structure of DNA.
Recommended video:
Ketoses as Reducing Sugars Example 2