Nucleotide

Definition

A nucleotide is a molecular building block of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and one or more phosphate groups. It plays a critical role in cellular processes, including energy transfer and the synthesis of nucleic acids.

Related terms

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule composed of two chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded molecule involved in protein synthesis and the transmission of genetic information from DNA to the rest of the cell.

Phosphate group: A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms, important for energy transfer within cells (such as ATP) and an integral component of nucleotides