Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleic Acid

Nucleotide vs Nucleic Acid

The trace of human traits and features lies in our DNA. Through our DNA, future diseases that we are at risk of acquiring can also be traced. That is how technology comes to a big hand.

Nucleotide and nucleic acid are two words that make up and describe DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid. Let us examine their differences.

Nucleotides build up the structure of DNA and RNA. Since nucleotides are molecules, when these are grouped together, they would form the structure of RNA and DNA. Nucleotides have different and varying functions. First, nucleotides serve as sources of energy in a chemical form. These are ATP or adenosine triphosphate and CAM cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Second, nucleotides are used for cell signalling through CGM cyclic guanosine monophosphate and CAM. Lastly, nucleotides are utilized as cofactors of enzyme reactions such as flavin mononucleotide, coenzyme-A, flavin adenine dinucleotide, among others.

Nucleic acids are not structures or components of DNA. These are already the molecules for living things. Examples are DNA and RNA or ribonucleic acid. Just like protein, nucleic acids also contribute to the bulk of significant macromolecules which are in great amounts among living things. In 1871, Friedrick Miescher discovered nucleic acids. Nucleic acid and the study of it are one of the hottest careers right now. There are a lot of experiments regarding it in niches such as biology and medicine as well as in biochemistry, biotechnology, genome, forensic science, and in pharmacy.

The structure of a nucleotide includes a nucleobase which is a nitrogenous base plus sugar particularly carbon sugar. This carbon sugar can be deoxyribose or ribose. Finally, the last component of nucleotides are made up of phosphate groups. Nucleic acid structures are mainly polymer macromolecules. These macromolecules are made from monomers of nucleotides in origin.

Understanding nucleic acid and nucleotides enables humans to understand more about living things. It is a new subject and an important subject and branch in biology. Since nucleic acids are the building blocks of life, taking further studies about them may help us improve our lives one day through research and experiments.

Summary:

1.Nucleotides are one of the main components of nucleic acids while nucleic acids themselves are the building blocks of life.
2.Nucleotides are made up of nucleobase, carbon sugar, and phosphate while nucleic acids are made of polymer macromolecules which are nucleotides in nature.

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