Biochemistry: Nucleotides Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which components make up a nucleotide?

Sugar, Lipid, and Phosphate

Base, Sugar, and Phosphate (correct)

Base, Protein, and Phosphate

Base, Sugar, and Ribosome

What is the abbreviation for Adenosine triphosphate?

ADP

AMP

AdoP

ATP (correct)

Which nucleoside corresponds with the base Uracil?

Uridine (correct)

Cytidine

Deoxythymidine

Adenosine

What is the nucleotide form of Guanine?

GMP Signup and view all the answers

What prefix indicates the presence of a deoxyribose unit in nucleotides?

Deoxy- Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents Cytidine monophosphate?

CMP Signup and view all the answers

What is the nucleoside derived from Thymine?

Thymidine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nucleotides contains a ribose sugar?

Adenosine monophosphate Signup and view all the answers

Which is an incorrect pairing of a base and its nucleotide form?

Thymine - TMP Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nucleotides is not a pyrimidine?

Adenosine Signup and view all the answers

What role do nucleotides NOT play in metabolic processes?

Direct synthesis of proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the phosphate group position in a nucleotide?

To identify the direction of nucleic acid synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which nucleotide acts as the primary energy currency in biological systems?

ATP Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of nucleotide biosynthesis?

De novo synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the common precursor for AMP and GMP in their biosynthesis?

IMP Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of cAMP in cellular processes?

It mediates hormonal action Signup and view all the answers

Which molecules can act as coenzymes derived from nucleotides?

FAD, NADP*, FMN Signup and view all the answers

What building blocks are required for the de novo synthesis of nucleotides?

Amino acids, sugar moiety, and phosphates Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Naming of Nucleotides

Nucleotides are named according to their structure: Base + Sugar + Phosphate.
The "deoxy" prefix indicates a deoxyribose sugar, used in DNA.
Deoxyribonucleotides are named with "deoxy" or "d," e.g., deoxyadenosine or dA.
Ribonucleotides are named with the prefix "ribo" or "r."
The position of the phosphate group is shown in the name, e.g., 3'-AMP and 5'-GMP.

Functions of Nucleotides

They are building blocks of DNA and RNA.
They are activated intermediates in biosynthesis, e.g., UDP-Glucose, CDP-diacylglycerol, and S-adenosylmethionine.
ATP is the primary energy currency for biological processes.
GTP powers molecule movement and activates signaling.
cAMP is a mediator of hormonal action.
Nucleotides regulate metabolic activity through phosphorylation (adding a phosphate) of proteins.
ATP, ADP, and AMP levels regulate metabolic pathways.
They act as coenzymes, e.g., NAD+, NADP+, FMN, FAD, and CoA.

Biosynthesis of Nucleotides

Nucleotides are synthesized de novo (from scratch) or through salvage pathways (recycling).
De novo biosynthesis uses building blocks like amino acids, tetrahydrofolate derivatives, NH3+, and CO2.
The sugar moiety is derived from S-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP).
Deoxyribonucleotides are formed by reducing ribonucleotides, while dTMP is formed by methylating dUMP.

Biosynthesis of Purines

The purine ring structure is built on PRPP, which is also a precursor for other molecules.
Purine biosynthesis is co-regulated with pyrimidine biosynthesis.
Purine ring atoms come from aspartate, formate, bicarbonate, glutamine amide, and glycine.
IMP, the common precursor for AMP and GMP, is synthesized first.

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Description

This quiz explores the naming, functions, and biosynthesis of nucleotides. Learn about the structural components, their roles as building blocks of nucleic acids, and their significance in energy transfer and metabolic regulation. Test your knowledge on key nucleotide concepts and applications in biochemistry.