noun
- a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group, forming the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA
Usage: biochemistry
Examples
- DNA is made up of four different nucleotides.
- Each nucleotide contains a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
- The sequence of nucleotides determines the genetic code.
- Scientists can now synthesize nucleotides in the laboratory.
- A single nucleotide change can cause a genetic mutation.
- RNA nucleotides differ slightly from DNA nucleotides in their sugar component.