Nucleotides

Nucleotide Components

• Nucleotides consist of three main components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.
• Common components that are not part of a nucleotide could include fatty acids or amino acids.

Nucleotide Sources

• Nucleotides can be obtained from dietary sources, particularly from the breakdown of nucleic acids in food.
• They are also synthesized in the body through metabolic pathways.

Nucleotide Monomeric Units

• Nucleotides serve as the monomeric units for nucleic acids, specifically RNA and DNA.
• Essential for the structure and function of these biomolecules.

Nucleotide Subunits

• A nucleotide is made up of three subunit molecules: a nitrogenous base, a sugar molecule, and phosphate group(s).

RNA and Thymine

• In RNA, uracil replaces thymine, distinguishing RNA from DNA.

Ribose Sugar in RNA

• Ribose sugar in RNA has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon, making it more reactive compared to deoxyribose.

Ribose vs. Deoxyribose

• The key difference between ribose (in RNA) and deoxyribose (in DNA) is the absence of an oxygen atom at the second carbon of deoxyribose.

Purine Structure

• Purines are characterized by a double-ring structure consisting of a six-membered and a five-membered nitrogen-containing ring.

Function of Purines and Pyrimidines

• Purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) are crucial for encoding genetic information and are involved in energy transfer, e.g., ATP.