The monomeric units of nucleic acids are which of these?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The monomeric units of nucleic acids are nucleotides, which consist of a nitrogenous base (either purine or pyrimidine), a pentose sugar (either D-ribose or 2-deoxy-D-ribose), and a phosphate group. Therefore, choice E is the correct answer. A nucleoside is similar to a nucleotide, but without the phosphate group. Purines are one type of nitrogenous base found in nucleotides, but they do not encompass the entire monomeric unit. Phosphate ions are not part of the nucleotide itself, but are instead involved in the formation of the backbone of the nucleic acid chain. D-ribose or 2-deoxy-D-ribose are components of the nucleotide, but alone they do not qualify as the monomeric unit of nucleic acids.

The Monomeric Units of Nucleic Acids Are Which of These