Nucleotide bases

Nucleotide Bases are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, the molecules that carry genetic information in all living cells. They are composed of three parts: a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The four types of nitrogenous bases found in nucleotides are: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine in DNA; and adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil in RNA.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Each nucleotide base is attached to a sugar molecule, which is attached to one or more phosphate groups. The phosphate groups link the sugars of two adjacent nucleotide bases together, forming the backbone of the DNA or RNA molecule. The nitrogenous bases extend from this backbone.

Types of Nucleotide Bases[edit | edit source]

There are two types of nitrogenous bases: purines and pyrimidines. Adenine and guanine are purines, while cytosine, thymine (in DNA), and uracil (in RNA) are pyrimidines.

Adenine[edit | edit source]

Adenine is a purine base that pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.

Guanine[edit | edit source]

Guanine is a purine base that pairs with cytosine in both DNA and RNA.

Cytosine[edit | edit source]

Cytosine is a pyrimidine base that pairs with guanine in both DNA and RNA.

Thymine[edit | edit source]

Thymine is a pyrimidine base that pairs with adenine in DNA.

Uracil[edit | edit source]

Uracil is a pyrimidine base that pairs with adenine in RNA. It replaces thymine as the pairing base for adenine in RNA.

Function[edit | edit source]

Nucleotide bases are essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information. They also play a crucial role in cellular energy transfer and in the synthesis of proteins.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Nucleotide bases Resources
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