Nucleic Acids 101: Unpacking the Building Blocks of Genetic Info | StudySoup
Biology: The Dynamic Science | 4th Edition | ISBN: 9781305389892 | Authors: Peter J. Russell , Paul E. Hertz , Beverly McMillan

Table of Contents

3
Biological Molecules: The Carbon Compounds of Life
5
Membranes and Transport
8
Photosynthesis

Textbook Solutions for Biology: The Dynamic Science

Chapter 3 Problem 1

Question

What is the monomer of a nucleic acid macromolecule?

Solution

Step 1 of 2

The monomer of a nucleic acid macromolecule is called a nucleotide. Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), the two main types of nucleic acids found in living organisms.

A nucleotide is composed of three main components:

  • Sugar: The sugar component in DNA is deoxyribose, while RNA's is ribose. Sugar provides the backbone of the nucleic acid chain and is linked to the other components of the nucleotide.
  • Phosphate Group: The phosphate group is attached to the sugar molecule, forming a covalent bond. It plays a crucial role in the overall structure and stability of the nucleic acid.
  • Nitrogenous Base: The nitrogenous base is the variable component of a nucleotide, and it determines the genetic information encoded in the nucleic acid sequence. There are four types of nitrogenous bases found in DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). In RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil (U).

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    Nucleic acids, comprising DNA and RNA, are vital biomolecules encoding genetic information. We explore the structure and components of their monomers, nucleotides, emphasizing the role of nitrogenous bases and the significance of polynucleotide chains in storing genetic data.

    Title Biology: The Dynamic Science 4 
    Author Peter J. Russell , Paul E. Hertz , Beverly McMillan
    ISBN 9781305389892

    Nucleic Acids 101: Unpacking the Building Blocks of Genetic Info

    Chapter 3 textbook questions

    • Biology: The Dynamic Science | 4th Edition | ISBN: 9781305389892 | Authors: Peter J. Russell , Paul E. Hertz , Beverly McMillan
      Chapter 3: Problem 1 Biology: The Dynamic Science 4

      What is the monomer of a nucleic acid macromolecule?

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