What are the building blocks of RNA?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the basic components that make up RNA, which include specific molecules known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide has three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Answer
Nucleotides: sugar, phosphate group, and bases (A, U, G, C)
The building blocks of RNA are nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base. The four bases in RNA are adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).
Answer for screen readers
The building blocks of RNA are nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base. The four bases in RNA are adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).
More Information
RNA's four nitrogen-containing bases pair up with DNA bases during processes like transcription, but RNA uses uracil where DNA uses thymine.
Tips
Do not confuse the bases of RNA (which includes uracil) with those of DNA (which includes thymine).
Sources
- RNA Building Blocks - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- Nucleotide - National Human Genome Research Institute - genome.gov
- Definition of Nucleotide - NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms - cancer.gov
