Introduction to Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Nucleotides and nucleosides are fundamental building blocks of nucleic acids. A nucleotide consists of a nucleoside attached to one or more phosphate groups, while a nucleoside is made up of a nitrogenous base linked to a sugar molecule without any phosphate groups.
Comparison Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Essential Study Materials for NEET UG Success
FAQs on Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
1. What is the difference between a nucleotide and a nucleoside inhibitor?
Nucleoside inhibitors mimic natural nucleosides but lack phosphate groups and must be phosphorylated inside the cell to become active. In contrast, nucleotide inhibitors already include one or more phosphate groups, meaning they are closer to the active form required for incorporation into viral DNA or RNA.
2. What is an example of a nucleoside?
A common example of a nucleoside is adenosine, which consists of the adenine base linked to a ribose sugar.
3. What is an example of a non-nucleoside?
Efavirenz is an example of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), used in antiviral therapy without mimicking the natural nucleoside structure.
4. What is a nucleoside difference from a nucleotide is not having?
A nucleoside does not have any phosphate groups attached, whereas a nucleotide includes one or more phosphate groups.
5. What is the main difference between nucleoside and nucleotide?
The main difference is that a nucleoside is composed of a nitrogenous base linked to a sugar, while a nucleotide consists of a nucleoside plus one or more phosphate groups.
6. What is the difference between nucleoside and non-nucleoside?
Nucleosides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar and a base, whereas non-nucleosides typically refer to compounds (often inhibitors) that do not mimic the nucleoside structure and do not participate directly in forming nucleic acids.
7. What is the difference between a nucleotide and a nucleobase?
A nucleotide comprises a nucleobase, a sugar, and one or more phosphate groups, whereas a nucleobase is just the nitrogen-containing compound (such as adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil) without the sugar or phosphate.
8. Is sugar a nucleoside?
No, sugar by itself is not a nucleoside. A nucleoside is formed when a sugar molecule is bonded to a nucleobase.
9. Why is it called nucleoside?
It is called a nucleoside because it consists of a nucleobase linked to a sugar, forming the core unit from which nucleotides—and ultimately nucleic acids—are built.
10. Are nucleosides in DNA or RNA?
Nucleosides are found in both DNA and RNA. In DNA, they are present as deoxyribonucleosides, and in RNA, they appear as ribonucleosides.
