Learning Objectives:
i. Define the components of a nucleotide.
ii. Describe the different types of nucleotides.
iii. Explain the structure and bonding of nucleotides.
i. Components of a nucleotide
A nucleotide is made up of three components:
A phosphate group
A five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose or ribose)
A nitrogenous base
ii. Types of nucleotides
There are two main types of nucleotides: deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) and ribonucleotides (rNTPs). dNTPs are used to build DNA, while rNTPs are used to build RNA.
The four types of dNTPs are:
Adenine (dATP)
Guanine (dGTP)
Cytosine (dCTP)
Thymine (dTTP)
The four types of rNTPs are:
Adenine (ATP)
Guanine (GTP)
Cytosine (CTP)
Uracil (UTP)
iii. Structure and bonding of nucleotides
The phosphate group, sugar, and nitrogenous base are linked together in a nucleotide by phosphodiester bonds. Phosphodiester bonds are covalent bonds that form between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar of the next nucleotide.
The nitrogenous base in a nucleotide can be a purine or a pyrimidine. Purines are double-ringed molecules, while pyrimidines are single-ringed molecules.
Purines:
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
Pyrimidines:
Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
Uracil (U)
Real-world applications of nucleotides
Nucleotides are used in a variety of biotechnology applications, such as:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): PCR is a technique used to amplify DNA. PCR is used in research to study genes and to diagnose diseases.
DNA sequencing: DNA sequencing is a technique used to determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. DNA sequencing is used in research to study genes and to develop new medical treatments.
Scientists are continuing to develop new applications for nucleotides. For example, researchers are developing nucleotide-based drugs to treat cancer and other diseases.
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, which are the genetic material of all living organisms. Nucleotides are made up of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base. The four types of nucleotides are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T) in DNA, and adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U) in RNA. Nucleotides are linked together by phosphodiester bonds to form nucleic acids.