Difference Between Nucleoside and Nucleotide
Table of Contents
Main Difference
Nucleoside and Nucleotide both are nitrogenous bases linked with a five carbon sugar, whereas Nucleotide differs from nucleoside as it is further linked up with one or more phosphate groups. Nucleotide = Carbon sugar + Nitrogenous Base + Phosphate. Nucleoside = Carbon sugar + Nitrogenous Base
Comparison Chart
| Nucleoside | Nucleotide |
| Nucleosides are organic molecules that contain a carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base. | Nucleotides are the organic molecules that contain a carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group as well. |
| Examples | |
| Common sort of nucleoside includes adenosine, uridine, inosine, thymidine, cytidine, guanosine, etc. | Common examples include adenosine triphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, uridine monophosphate, etc. |
| Uses | |
| A nucleoside is used to develop nucleotides that are building blocks of DNA and RNA. They are also used as the antiviral and anticancer agent. | Nucleotides are the simplest functional unit of DNA and RNA. They are the building blocks of RNA and DNA. The store’s data and also work as a catalyst. |
| Building Block of RNA/DNA | |
| No | Yes |
What is Nucleoside?
A nucleoside is an organic molecule in nature; it comprises of a five carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous base can be any nitrogenous base depending upon the kind of nucleoside to be developed. The most common sort of nitrogenous bases used as a building block of the nucleoside is adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, etc. A nucleoside can be created into nucleotide by simply attaching one or more phosphate groups to it. Nucleoside analogs are very much important and famous regarding their usage in medicines. They work as anticancer and antiviral agents too.
What is Nucleotide?
Nucleotides are the organic molecules that are considered to be the simplest functional unit of RNA and DNA. They are the building blocks of RNA and DNA. Nucleotides are composed of 5 carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group as well. At least presence of single phosphate group is necessary for a nucleotide which makes it nucleotide from nucleoside. There can be as many as required. The nucleoside can be converted into nucleotide by simply adding a phosphate group to the nucleoside.
Nucleoside vs. Nucleotide
- Nucleoside consist of carbon sugar and nitrogenous base only.
- A nucleotide consists of carbon sugar, nitrogenous base, and phosphate group as well.
- Nucleoside analogs are used in medicines as antiviral and anticancer agents.
- Nucleotides are the building blocks and simplest functional unit of RNA and DNA.
- Nucleotide work as a catalyst as well and stores information while as part of DNA and RNA.
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