Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside Overview
The distinction between nucleotide and nucleoside is critical to understanding the distinctions between the two. They are nucleic acid building blocks since they include the same components as nucleotides, such as a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group. The fundamental distinction is in their molecular makeup, with nucleosides including simply sugar and a base and nucleotides containing sugar, a base, and a phosphate group. Furthermore, a nucleotide is formed before DNA and RNA, while a nucleoside is formed before a nucleotide is formed.
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside Definitions
Nucleotide
A nucleotide is an organic molecule that forms the basis of RNA and DNA. The nucleotide has a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a 5-carbon sugar. Nucleotides are compounds that consist of a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group connected to pentose sugar, which can be either deoxyribose or ribose. The pentose sugar with 5' carbon can include one to three phosphate groups. The nitrogenous base, on the other hand, can be either pyrimidine or purine. Thymine, uracil, and cytosine are pyrimidine bases, whereas guanine and adenine are purine bases.
Nucleoside
A nucleoside is any nucleotide that does not contain a phosphate group but is bonded to the pentose sugar's 5' carbon. A nucleoside that binds one to three phosphate groups is always present in a nucleotide. Based on its pentose sugar component, a nucleoside can be classified as a ribonucleoside or a deoxyribonucleoside. A ribonucleoside is a nucleoside containing the sugar ribose. Deoxyribonucleoside, on the other hand, is a nucleoside that contains the sugar deoxyribose.
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside Examples
Examples of Nucleotides
The table below contains examples of nucleotides and their nitrogenous bases-
|
Nitrogenous Bases |
Corresponding Examples |
|
Adenine |
ADP, AMP, ATP, dADP, dAMP, dATP, and ddATP |
|
Cytosine |
CDP, CMP, CTP, dCDP, dCMP, dCTP, and ddCTP |
|
Guanine |
GDP, GMP, GTP, dGDP, dGMP, dGTP, and ddGTP |
|
Thymine |
TDP, TMP, TTP, dTDP, dTMP, dTTP, and ddTTP |
Examples of Nucleosides
Cytidine, uridine, guanosine, inosine triphosphate, and adenosine are examples of nucleosides. A beta-glycosidic link connects the pentose sugar's 3 positions to the nitrogenous base.
Types of Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Types of Nucleotides
The following table gives details about the various types of nucleotide-
|
Types of Nucleotide |
Description |
|
Adenine |
In adenosine triphosphate, the nucleotide adenine serves as a base (ATP). Purines are one of two different kinds of nitrogenous bases. Adenine is a member of the purine family. A large quantity of energy may be stored in strong bonds by ATP. |
|
Cytosine |
The other nucleotide class is pyrimidines. Cytosine is a single pyrimidine nucleotide in the form of a ring. Cytosine has a strong affinity for both DNA and RNA. The nucleotide guanine binds tightly to the nucleotide adenine. |
|
Guanine |
Guanine, like adenine, is a two-ringed purine nucleotide. It binds to cytosine in both DNA and RNA. As illustrated in the image above, guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with cytosine. As a result, the cytosine-guanine link is slightly stronger than the thymine-adenine bond, which has just two hydrogen bonds. |
|
Thymine |
Thymine is a pyrimidine nucleotide with one ring, just like cytosine. It connects to adenine in DNA. Thymine is not found in RNA. Because it only makes two hydrogen bonds with adenine in DNA, it is the weaker of the two. |
|
Uracil |
Uracil is also a pyrimidine. During DNA-to-RNA transcription, uracil is substituted for thymine. Though uracil has various distinct advantages and disadvantages, the reason for this is unknown. Most animals do not use uracil in their DNA since it is short-lived and may be broken down into cytosine. However, because RNA is such a short-lived molecule, uracil is the nucleotide of choice. |
Types of Nucleosides
The following table gives details about the nucleoside types-
|
Types of Nuceloside |
Description |
|
Purine Nucleosides |
These nucleosides are made up of two nitrogenous bases, adenine, and guanine. The nucleosides contained in RNA are adenine and guanine. Deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine are the nucleosides found in DNA. |
|
Pyrimidine Nucleosides |
These nucleotides are made up of three nitrogenous bases: thymine, cytosine, and uracil. The nucleosides contained in RNA are cytidine and uridine. Deoxycytidine and thymidine or deoxythymidine are the nucleosides in DNA. |
Structural Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Nucleotide Structure
Although the structure of a nucleotide is simple, the configuration that it might assume when linked is complex. This molecule is made up of two strands that wrap around each other to form hydrogen bonds in the center for support. This generation is feasible because of the unique structures of each nucleotide. Below is an illustration of DNA-
Nucleoside Structure
- The nucleosides have two major heterocyclic components. - Sugar-containing pentose
- This five-membered ring structure is best described as puckered.
- The nucleosides in RNA have a D-ribose pentose ring structure, but the nucleosides in DNA lack a -OH group at the second position and are hence referred to as 2' - deoxy - D- ribose.
- Both sugar types contain pentoses in their - furanose form.
- The pentose sugar is linked to the nitrogenous base at the first carbon atom (1').
- It is held together by a glycosidic bond (N-glycosyl bond).
Below is an illustration of nucleoside structure-
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside Functions
Nucleotide Functions
- A nucleotide, in addition to being the essential building component of all living species' genetic material, may serve a number of functions.
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's fundamental energy molecule, is an example of a molecule in which a nucleotide may serve the role of a base.
- They are also present in coenzymes such as NAD and NADP, which are derived from ADP and employed in a number of chemical processes that impact metabolism.
- Another nucleotide-containing molecule is cyclic AMP (cAMP), a messenger molecule that is required for numerous actions, such as regulating metabolism and conveying chemical messages to cells.
- Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of life and may be combined to create a wide variety of compounds.
Nucleoside Functions
- Nucleosides are required components of nucleotides.
- They function as nucleotide precursors.
- When a phosphate group is added to the nucleoside, it forms the nucleotide, which is the framework of DNA.
- Signaling is aided by nucleoside molecules.
- Minor bases or modified nitrogen bases in nucleosides manage or protect genetic information.
- A wide range of nucleoside analogs has been utilized in the treatment of viral infections, tumors, and cancer.
- Purine and pyrimidine bases are altered to accomplish this.
- A few nucleoside analogs are used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease.
- The medication lamivudine is used in this treatment.
- Nucleoside transporters enable the transfer of nucleosides across membranes.
- The two kinds of nucleoside transporters are concentrated and equilibrated.
- Antiviral and anti-cancer drugs rely on these transporters to traverse membranes.
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Because they are both building blocks in the process of creation, it is critical to understand the major distinctions between nucleotides and nucleosides. Another important component that serves as a building block is the existence of nucleic acids and the genetic code, which aid in the transmission of genetic information.
The following table gives detailed information about the difference between nucleotide and nucleoside-
|
Parameter |
Nucleotide |
Nucleoside |
|
Examples |
Uridine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, etc. |
Uridine, guanosine, cytidine, adenosine, thymidine. |
|
Structure |
It is made up of a nitrogenous base, one to three phosphate groups, and sugars such as deoxyribose and ribose. |
It is made up of a nitrogenous base that is covalently attached to sugar but lacks the phosphate group. |
|
Composition |
It is made up of nucleosides and one or more phosphate groups. |
It is made up of a nitrogenous base as well as pentose sugar. |
|
Role in Nucleic Acid |
It forms nucleic acid strands by forming covalent connections with other nucleotides. |
It is phosphorylated, resulting in the production of nucleotides. |
|
Medical Relevance |
Dysfunctional nucleotides cause cancer to develop owing to the buildup of damaged DNA. |
Several nucleoside analogs are used in medicine as anticancer or antiviral medicines. |
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Points to Remember
- Nucleotide and nucleoside can behave as polynucleotide precursors in DNA or RNA.
- A nucleoside is composed of a nitrogenous base and sugar pentose.
- In contrast, a nucleotide is made up of a nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, and phosphate groups.
- As a result, a nucleoside may be regarded as the precursor of a nucleotide. Pentose is a sugar that can be ribose, deoxyribose, or deoxyribose nucleotides containing deoxyribose sugars that can be used in sequencing to halt the chain from developing.
- The nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are found in the polynucleotide chain of DNA. In RNA, uracil replaces thymine. The main distinction between a nucleotide and a nucleoside is their connection.
Sample Questions for the Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Sample Question 1 - What is the primary distinction between a nucleotide and a nucleoside?
Ans. One key distinction is that a nucleotide comprises sugar, phosphate, and a base, but a nucleoside just contains sugar and a base. The four chemicals that makeup DNA bases are adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. Each base is coupled to sugar, and sugars are linked by a phosphate molecule.
Sample Question 2 - What exactly are nucleotide derivatives?
Ans. Nucleotides are formed via glycosylation of purine and pyrimidine heterocyclic bases. Purine derivatives include adenine and guanine, whereas pyrimidine derivatives include cytosine, uracil, and thymine (acronyms A, G, C, U, and T). Thymine is classified as a deoxyribonucleotide, whereas uracil is classified as a ribonucleotide.
Sample Question 3 - What are nucleotides used for?
Ans. For replication and growth, Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexan parasites rely extensively on nucleotides and amino acids. Nucleotides are extremely critical in the rapidly dividing phases of DNA replication and RNA transcription. Nucleotides also play a role in a range of metabolic tasks, including the generation of cellular energy sources (ATP and GTP).
Sample Question 4 - Is a nucleoside a pyrimidine or a purine base?
Ans. To produce nucleosides, a purine or pyrimidine base is -glycosidically linked to a ribose or deoxyribose sugar. These molecules are associated with the architecture of RNA (ribose sugars) and DNA (deoxyribose sugars).
Conclusion
Nucleotides and nucleosides can act as polynucleotide precursors in either DNA or RNA. A nucleoside is a compound that consists of a nitrogenous base and a pentose sugar. A nucleotide, on the other hand, is made up of a nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, and phosphate groups. As a result, a nucleoside can be thought of as a nucleotide precursor. A pentose sugar might be ribose, deoxyribose, or deoxy deoxyribose. In sequencing, nucleotides containing deoxyribose sugars can be employed to stop the chain elongation. The bases contained in the polynucleotide chain of DNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. In RNA, however, thymine is replaced with uracil. The primary distinction between a nucleotide and a nucleoside is their correlation.