Which of the following correctly describes the components that make up a nucleotide?

• A. A five-carbon sugar, a glycerol molecule, and a nitrogenous base
• B. A phosphate group, a fatty acid, and a nitrogenous base
• C. A phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and an amino acid
• D. A phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of a nucleotide, which is the building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. A nucleotide consists of three main components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
2. Step 2: Examine the options provided in the problem. Each option lists different combinations of components. Compare these combinations to the known structure of a nucleotide.
3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options by identifying components that do not belong to a nucleotide. For example, glycerol and fatty acids are components of lipids, not nucleotides. Similarly, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not nucleotides.
4. Step 4: Focus on the correct combination of components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base. These three components are essential for forming the nucleotide structure.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the correct answer matches the description of a nucleotide. The correct answer is: 'A phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.' This combination is consistent with the structure of nucleotides found in DNA and RNA.