What is the Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleic Acid?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between nucleotides and nucleic acids lies in their structure and function. Here are the key differences:
- Structure: Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA). They consist of a sugar molecule (either ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA) attached to a phosphate group and a nitrogen-containing base. Nucleic acids, on the other hand, are polymers composed of long chains of nucleotides, linked by phosphodiester bonds.
- Function: Nucleotides serve as the building blocks of nucleic acids. They form long strands of nucleotides that encode genetic information. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, store hereditary information and are essential for the continuity and functioning of cells.
In summary, nucleotides are the individual molecular units that make up nucleic acids, and they play a crucial role in encoding genetic information.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleic Acid? Comparative Table: Nucleotide vs Nucleic Acid
Comparative Table: Nucleotide vs Nucleic Acid
Here is a table comparing the differences between nucleotides and nucleic acids:
| Feature | Nucleotides | Nucleic Acids |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of phosphoric acid, a pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a nitrogen-containing base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, or uracil) | Nucleic acids are macromolecules made up of nucleotides and are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life, carrying the genetic information of a cell and instructions for the functioning of the cell |
| Structure | - Nucleotides in RNA contain ribose sugar, while those in DNA contain deoxyribose sugar | - Nucleic acids are long, linear chains of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds |
| Function | Nucleotides are the monomers that make up nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA | Nucleic acids serve as blueprints for the proteins that are made by cells and are the hereditary material in cells |
| Examples | Adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine (DNA) and uracil (RNA) | Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) |
In summary, nucleotides are the individual units that make up nucleic acids, which are long chains of nucleotides that carry the genetic information of a cell. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are essential for the continuity of life and serve as blueprints for protein synthesis.
Read more:
- Amino Acid vs Nucleic Acid
- Amino Acid vs Nucleotide
- Nucleotide vs Nucleoside
- DNA vs RNA Nucleotide
- Nucleotide vs Base
- Deoxyribonucleic acid vs Ribonucleic Acid
- DNA vs RNA
- a Ribonucleotide vs a Deoxyribonucleotide
- Oligonucleotide vs Polynucleotide
- Nucleus vs Nucleoid
- DNA vs RNA Structure
- DNA vs RNA Synthesis
- DNA vs mRNA
- DNA vs DNAse
- Base Sequence vs Amino Acid Sequence
- Gene vs DNA
- Nucleus vs Nucleolus
- Amine vs Amino Acid
- Cytoplasm vs Nucleoplasm