Biochemistry: Nucleotides and Nucleosides

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

What distinguishes deoxyribose from ribose in nucleotide structure?

Which of the following identifies the two general types of bases in nucleotides?

Which statement is true about nucleosides?

What type of reaction is involved in synthesizing DNA or RNA using nucleotides?

What does the term 'nucleoside analog' best refer to?

What is the significance of carbon numbering in ribose and deoxyribose?

What happens when DNA or RNA is hydrolyzed?

Which of the following statements accurately describes a deoxyribonucleotide?

What is the correct relationship between a nucleoside and a nucleotide?

Which molecules are correctly matched with their roles?

How many phosphates can a nucleotide contain?

In which nucleic acid is uracil found?

What is the structure that consists of a base and a ribose sugar called?

Where can the phosphate group be positioned on a nucleotide?

Which statement about cAMP is true?

Nucleotides and Nucleosides

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, obtained by hydrolyzing nucleic acids.
Essential for DNA and RNA synthesis, nucleotides comprise three parts: a base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Sugar Type

Two types of pentose sugar: deoxyribose (in DNA) and ribose (in RNA).
The "deoxy" prefix indicates the absence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group on the 2’ carbon in deoxyribose.

Nucleotide Structure

Nucleotide structure includes a base and a pentose sugar.
Phosphate groups can be attached at 5’, 3’, and/or 2’ positions, allowing for various nucleotide forms.
Recognizable cyclic monophosphates, such as 2’-3’ cyclic monophosphates, can form during alkaline hydrolysis of RNA.

Nucleotide Types

Deoxyribonucleotides in DNA lack a hydroxyl at the 2’ position; denoted by "d" (e.g., deoxyadenosine).
Ribonucleotides in RNA include a hydroxyl group at the 2’ position; do not include "deoxy" in their names.

Base Identification

Nucleotides include two general types of bases: purines and pyrimidines.
Specific bases must be recognized: thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA.

Nucleoside Formation

Nucleosides are formed by combining a base with a sugar (pentose).
The addition of a phosphate group to a nucleoside results in the formation of a nucleotide.

Nucleic Acids

A polymer of nucleotides is referred to as a nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA.
Nucleic acid structures encode genetic information and are essential for biological processes.

Phosphate Variability

Phosphate groups can vary in number: mono (AMP), di (ADP), or tri (ATP).
ATP is often referred to as an "energy molecule" due to its role in cellular energy transfer.

Key Recognition Points

Must be able to identify and recognize nucleotides, their abbreviations, and their structural properties, such as 2’, 3’, and 5’ positions of phosphates.
Understand the significance of alpha, beta, and gamma phosphate differentiation in nucleotide structures.

This quiz covers the essential concepts of nucleotides and nucleosides as fundamental components of DNA and RNA. You'll explore their structure, nomenclature, properties, and roles in the synthesis of nucleic acids. Dive into the importance of nucleoside analogs, especially in drug development.