Nucleic Acids, DNA Structure, and Chromosomes
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids
One (NMP), two (NDP), three (NTP) phosphates
5 different bases: A, G, C (DNA and RNA), T (DNA), U (RNA)
2 different sugars: ribose (RNA), deoxyribose (DNA)
Two kinds of 5-carbon sugars
Five kinds of nitrogen containing bases
The sugars and bases are linked through a glycosidic bond
nucleoside = N-containing base linked to a 5 carbon sugar (no phosphate)
nucleotide = N-containing base linked to a 5 carbon sugar & one or more phosphates
Nucleotides are linked through phosphodiester bonds
Link between nucleotides: 5? C of sugar - phosphate- 3? C of sugar (backbone)
Variable portion: base