How can simple diagrams represent the structure of single nucleotides of DNA and RNA, using symbols for phosphates, pentoses, and bases?

SouravNovember 8, 2024

Answered step-by-step

To represent the structure of single nucleotides of DNA and RNA using simple diagrams, specific symbols can be employed for the different components: phosphates, pentoses, and bases. Here’s how to illustrate these structures effectively:

Diagram Components

1. Phosphate Group:
   • Symbol: Represented by a circle.
   • Position: Attached to the 5′ carbon of the sugar.
2. Pentose Sugar:
   • Symbol: Represented by a pentagon.
   • Types:
     • In DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose.
     • In RNA, the sugar is ribose, which has an additional hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 2′ position.
3. Nitrogenous Base:
   • Symbol: Represented by a rectangle.
   • Types:
     • In DNA, the bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).
     • In RNA, the bases are adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).

Connections

• The nitrogenous base is attached to the 1′ carbon of the pentose sugar.
• The phosphate group is connected to the 5′ carbon of the sugar, while in a polynucleotide chain, it links to the hydroxyl group on the 3′ carbon of another nucleotide’s sugar.