How does a nucleotide differ from a nucleoside?
A) Nucleosides are found in DNA, whereas nucleotides are found in RNA.
B) Purines are only found in nucleotides.
C) Nucleosides contain only deoxyribose sugars.
D) A nucleotide is a nucleoside with a phosphate ester linked to the sugar .
E) None of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A nucleotide is a nucleoside with a phosphate ester linked to the sugar. In other words, nucleotides are composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group, while nucleosides are composed of a nitrogenous base and a five-carbon sugar, but without the phosphate group. Option A is incorrect as nucleotides are present in both DNA and RNA. Option B is incorrect as purines are found in both nucleotides and nucleosides. Option C is incorrect as nucleosides can contain both ribose and deoxyribose sugars.

How Does a Nucleotide Differ from a Nucleoside