Which type of linkage is present in Nucleotide between base and sugar?
Correct Answer :
N-glycosidic linkage
Solution :
The correct option is N-glycosidic linkage.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Understanding the Components of a Nucleotide:
A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Each nucleotide consists of three distinct chemical components:
• A nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, or uracil)
• A five-carbon pentose sugar (ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA)
• A phosphate group
2. Analyzing the Bond Between the Base and Sugar:
The nitrogenous base is covalently attached to the 1' carbon (C-1') of the pentose sugar. This covalent bond is formed by a condensation reaction (which eliminates a water molecule) between:
• The hydroxyl group () at the C-1' position of the sugar.
• The amine hydrogen () of the nitrogen atom at position 9 (N-9) of a purine base (adenine or guanine) or position 1 (N-1) of a pyrimidine base (cytosine, thymine, or uracil).
3. Classification of the Linkage:
Because this covalent bond links the anomeric carbon (C-1') of a sugar to another group, it is classified as a glycosidic bond (or glycosidic linkage). Specifically, since the sugar carbon is bonded directly to a nitrogen atom of the nitrogenous base, the linkage is termed an N-glycosidic linkage (or N-glycosidic bond). This distinguishes it from O-glycosidic linkages commonly found linking sugars together in carbohydrates.
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