Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition

Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook

Timberlake 13th Edition

Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Problem 94d

Chapter 17, Problem 94d

Identify the base and sugar in each of the following nucleotides:
d. UMP

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of a nucleotide: A nucleotide consists of three components: a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group. In this problem, we are identifying the base and sugar in UMP (Uridine Monophosphate).

Recognize the base in UMP: The 'U' in UMP stands for uracil, which is a pyrimidine base commonly found in RNA. Therefore, the nitrogenous base in UMP is uracil.

Determine the sugar in UMP: Since UMP is a nucleotide found in RNA, the sugar is ribose. Ribose is a five-carbon sugar with hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to both the 2' and 3' carbons.

Note the distinction between RNA and DNA nucleotides: If the sugar were deoxyribose (lacking the hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon), the nucleotide would be part of DNA. However, UMP specifically contains ribose, confirming it is an RNA nucleotide.

Summarize the findings: The base in UMP is uracil, and the sugar is ribose. These components, along with the phosphate group, make up the nucleotide UMP.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nucleotide Structure

A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (pentose), and one or more phosphate groups. Understanding the structure of nucleotides is essential for identifying their components, such as the base and sugar in UMP.

Nitrogenous Bases

Nitrogenous bases are organic molecules that contain nitrogen and are a key part of nucleotides. In the case of UMP (uridine monophosphate), the nitrogenous base is uracil, which is one of the four bases found in RNA. Recognizing the specific base is crucial for understanding the nucleotide's role in genetic information.

Pentose Sugar

The pentose sugar in nucleotides can either be ribose or deoxyribose, depending on whether the nucleotide is part of RNA or DNA. UMP contains ribose as its sugar component. Identifying the sugar is important for distinguishing between RNA and DNA nucleotides and understanding their biochemical functions.