What Are Nucleotides? Definition, Structure & Key Functions
To describe a nucleotide, it is an organic molecule made up of nitrogen elements which are connected to sugar, phosphates, and nucleoside which serves as the units of nucleic acid which is necessary for all the characters of heredity of a living being. It is extremely essential for every living being and form on the planet Earth. It is extremely important and is also used in diets as a nutrient that is later obtained by the liver.
These molecules might seem small but they are extremely significant and come with great importance to the human body. The human body needs an adequate amount of nucleotides and it always finds a way for the supply of it for the proper functioning and health of the body.
The source of nucleotides is either from the new development of cells or reusing the old cells that have been broken down long ago and are now made new for cell metabolism. Since the natural formation of nucleotides is not in an adequate amount for the body, therefore, the dietary nucleotides are obtained from the food humans eat on a daily basis to balance the amount of it needed in the body for biological functions and good health.
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Biologically Importance of Nucleotides
There are several biological advantages and importance of nucleotides which makes them extremely essential and a major building block part of RNA and DNA. Here is the list of the biological importance of nucleotides. They are as follow:
Nucleotides are the essential part of the formation of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).
It has been useful acting as an antiviral against dangerous diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
Helps in building metabolism of the cell inside the living beings.
Plays an important role in the food group such as protein, carbohydrate, and fats.
It is one of the most energy-yielding organic molecules in the human body.
Reduces the possibilities of diarrhea.
Improve the immune system of a human body.
Nucleotides are useful in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
When the stress level increases, nucleotides help in reducing the level of cortisol in humans which is a hormone released by the body in times of stress.
With the help of dietary nucleotides, one can improve their power of remembering things, and in general, their memory.
Metabolism’s major element is nucleotides and it is essential for the functioning of the liver of the living being.
It helps in incrementing the numbers of natural killer cells in a body to prevent the attack of diseases or viruses.
Improves the efficiency of cell repairing and rapid growth of the cells.
The dietary nucleotides help in fighting eczema, repairing/fixing the skin tissue, and other skin-related issues of a human being.
Having more nucleotides in one’s diet improves the muscle joints and prevents any kind of pain in them.
Helps in gaining weight and increasing the height of a human.
It is responsible for all the hereditary character of every human being.
Nucleotide Contains
The composition of nucleotide contains three important molecules namely,
Nucleobase which forms a nucleoside together
Carbon sugar
Phosphate group
Besides the essential components of nucleotides, the other elements nucleotides contain are derived from a heterocyclic compound that includes pyrimidine (cytosine, thymine, and uracil), purine (adenine and guanine) which is the major base found in human being, and pyridine (nicotinamide). They are all the bases of nitrogen compounds.
Nucleosides
It is almost similar to nucleotides but the major difference is their participation in the metabolism of the cell of the living being. It is made of either purine or pyridine bases and also contains ribose sugar in its structure. The occurrence of nucleosides when compared to nucleotides is significantly low.
Facts about Nucleotide
There are several facts about the most important compound that is essential for the health and biological function of the human body. Some of the facts are as follow:
It is essential for babies and toddlers and is just not limited to adults to use. Nucleotides help toddlers and babies in improving their learning abilities, providing support for a strong immune system, and extremely essential for cell metabolism.
In the field of biochemistry, nucleotides are used as radionuclides for creating radionuclides.
People often get overwhelmed studying the structure of DNA and RNA, and it is the most important part of Nucleotide. Here are the most frequently asked questions about nucleotides by people that often they find confusing.
FAQs on Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Life
1. What is a nucleotide and what are its three core components?
A nucleotide is the fundamental building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. It serves as the basic structural unit for these essential molecules. Each nucleotide is composed of three distinct parts: a pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), a nitrogenous base, and one or more phosphate groups.
2. What is the main difference between a nucleotide and a nucleoside?
The primary difference lies in their composition. A nucleoside consists of only two components: a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base. A nucleotide is a nucleoside that has been phosphorylated; it consists of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and one or more phosphate groups. In simple terms, a nucleotide is a phosphate ester of a nucleoside.
3. What are the different nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA nucleotides?
Nitrogenous bases are categorised into two groups: purines and pyrimidines. The bases found in DNA and RNA are slightly different:
- In DNA, the four nitrogenous bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T).
- In RNA, the four bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U). Uracil replaces Thymine in RNA.
Adenine and Guanine are purines, while Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil are pyrimidines.
4. How does the sequence of nucleotides in a DNA strand determine the traits of an organism?
The sequence of nucleotides in a DNA strand forms the genetic code. This code is read in groups of three bases, called codons. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid. The specific sequence of amino acids builds a unique protein, and these proteins carry out a vast range of functions, from acting as enzymes to forming structural components of cells. Ultimately, it is the type and function of these proteins that determine the physical and biological traits of an organism.
5. Besides forming DNA and RNA, what other crucial functions do nucleotides perform in a cell?
While their role in forming nucleic acids is primary, nucleotides have other vital functions. The most notable example is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is the main energy currency of the cell. It powers metabolic reactions, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse propagation. Other nucleotides, like GTP, are also involved in energy transfer and cell signalling pathways.
6. How are individual nucleotides linked together to form a polynucleotide chain?
Individual nucleotides are linked together through a covalent bond known as a phosphodiester bond. This bond forms between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar of the next. Specifically, it connects the 5' carbon of one sugar to the 3' carbon of the next sugar through the phosphate group. This repeated bonding creates a strong sugar-phosphate backbone, which gives the DNA and RNA molecules their structural integrity.
7. Why must a purine always pair with a pyrimidine in the DNA double helix?
A purine (Adenine or Guanine) must always pair with a pyrimidine (Thymine or Cytosine) to maintain the uniform width and stability of the DNA double helix. Purines are larger molecules with a two-ring structure, while pyrimidines are smaller, single-ring molecules. Pairing a purine with a pyrimidine ensures that the distance between the two sugar-phosphate backbones is constant along the entire length of the DNA molecule. This precise pairing (A with T, and G with C) is essential for the molecule's structural symmetry and proper replication.
