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Multiple Choice
What are the components of each nucleotide in nucleic acids?
A
A nitrogenous base, a sulfate group, and a pentose sugar
B
A nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a pentose sugar
C
A nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a lipid
D
A nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a hexose sugar
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of nucleotides: Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of three components.
Identify the nitrogenous base: Nucleotides contain a nitrogenous base, which can be a purine (adenine or guanine) or a pyrimidine (cytosine, thymine, or uracil).
Recognize the phosphate group: Nucleotides have a phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar. This group is crucial for forming the backbone of nucleic acids through phosphodiester bonds.
Determine the sugar component: Nucleotides contain a pentose sugar, which is either ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA. This sugar is a five-carbon sugar, hence the term 'pentose'.
Eliminate incorrect options: Compare the given options with the correct components of a nucleotide. The correct combination is a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a pentose sugar.