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DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides, each containing a phosphate group.

The Claim

Nucleotides are the monomers of DNA and RNA and each nucleotide includes a phosphate group.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

Standard biochemical definitions support this statement. DNA and RNA are polymers made of nucleotide units, and a nucleotide is distinguished from a nucleoside by the presence of at least one phosphate group. The only minor nuance is that the number of phosphates varies by context, but that does not change the claim’s core accuracy.

Caveats

  • The number of phosphate groups can vary: free nucleotides may be mono-, di-, or triphosphates, while DNA/RNA strands contain nucleotide monophosphate residues.
  • Do not confuse nucleotides with nucleosides; nucleosides lack a phosphate group.
  • Some explanations blur the difference between synthesis precursors and the nucleotide units present in the final DNA or RNA polymer.

The Receipts

  1. Nucleotide

    Genome.gov (NHGRI, NIH)

  2. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Fact Sheet

    National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

  3. Understanding biochemistry: structure and function of nucleic acids

    PubMed Central (Biochemical Society / Portland Press)

  4. Adenosine

    PubChem (NIH)

  5. Nucleic acids

    Khan Academy

  6. Nucleic Acid Structure – Microbial Genetics (Dr.B)

    Maricopa Open Digital Press (community college text)

  7. Nucleic Acids 1: Videos & Practice Problems

    Pearson

  8. Nucleic Acids: DNA And RNA | A-Level Biology Revision Notes

    A-Level Biology

  9. What are the Three Parts of a Nucleotide?

    Albert.io

  10. Nucleotides & DNA Structure: Microbiology Pre-Nursing

    YouTube – “Nucleotides & DNA Structure: Microbiology Pre-Nursing …”

+ 1 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Deoxyribonucleic AcidNucleotideRibonucleic Acid

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