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Nucleotides

Definition

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of DNA and RNA. They consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Related terms

Deoxyribose: This is the sugar found in DNA nucleotides. It's called 'deoxyribose' because it's missing an oxygen atom compared to regular ribose.

Phosphate Group: This is part of every nucleotide. It acts like glue, connecting one nucleotide to another in the DNA or RNA strand.

Nitrogenous Base: This is the part of the nucleotide that varies between different types. There are four types in DNA (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine) and four in RNA (adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine).

"Nucleotides" appears in:

Subjects (1)

  • Organic Chemistry

Study guides (4)

  • AP Biology - 1.4 Properties of Biological Macromolecules

  • AP Biology - 1.6 Nucleic Acids

  • AP Biology - 6.2 Replication

  • AP Biology - 7.13 Origin of Life on Earth

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Resources

Cram Mode

AP Score Calculators

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.