Which term is defined as the basic unit that forms nucleic acids?

Which term is defined as the basic unit that forms nucleic acids?

• A. Nucleus
• B. Nucleotide
• C. Nucleic Acid
• D. Genome

Answer: (B)

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide contains three parts: a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. These units link together through phosphodiester bonds between the phosphate of one nucleotide and the sugar of the next, forming a long sugar–phosphate backbone with bases sticking out to carry genetic information. The nucleus is just the cell’s storage organelle, the genome is the entire set of genetic material, and nucleic acid refers to the polymer itself, not the individual units. So the unit that forms nucleic acids is the nucleotide.

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide contains three parts: a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. These units link together through phosphodiester bonds between the phosphate of one nucleotide and the sugar of the next, forming a long sugar–phosphate backbone with bases sticking out to carry genetic information. The nucleus is just the cell’s storage organelle, the genome is the entire set of genetic material, and nucleic acid refers to the polymer itself, not the individual units. So the unit that forms nucleic acids is the nucleotide.