Which of the following descriptions best fits the class of molecules known as nucleotides?

• A. A nitrogenous base & a phosphate group.
• B. A nitrogenous base & a sugar.
• C. A nitrogenous base, phosphate group & a sugar.
• D. A nitrogenous base, a carbohydrate, & a sugar.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of a nucleotide: Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. They consist of three components: a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a sugar.
2. Identify the nitrogenous base: This is one of the key components of a nucleotide. Common nitrogenous bases include adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil.
3. Recognize the sugar component: In nucleotides, the sugar is typically a pentose sugar, which can be either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA).
4. Include the phosphate group: The phosphate group is crucial for forming the backbone of the nucleic acid structure, linking the sugars of adjacent nucleotides.
5. Combine all components: A nucleotide is correctly described as having a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a sugar. This combination is essential for the formation of nucleic acids.