logo
Products
Technologies
Applications
Services
Resources
Selection Guides
About
What are the differences between nucleotide and nucleoside?
Posted February 23, 2024
DNA and RNA QuantitationNucleic AcidsNucleus
Answer

Basis of differentiation 

Nucleotide

Nucleoside

Definition 

Is a monomer of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA

Is a nucleobase linked to a pentose sugar molecule

Composition 

Composed of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base and phosphate groups

Composed of a nitrogenous base and a pentose sugar

Presence of phosphate group

Phosphate group is present and is an essential part of its structure

Phosphate group is absent

Functions 

  • Is a precursor of DNA, RNA and polynucleotide
  • Act as energy-storing molecules

Serves as a precursor of nucleotide 

Examples 

  • Guanosine diphosphate
  • Uridine triphosphate
  • Adenosine diphosphate
  • Cytidine monophosphate
  • Guanosine
  • Uridine
  • Adenosine
  • Cytidine 
Additional resources
Comparison of the amino acid and nucleotide sequences between human and two guinea pig major basic proteinsDNA and RNA Quantitation Helixyte™ Green Fluorimetric dsDNA Quantitation Kit *Optimized for Broad Dynamic Range*

What are the important features required for a plasmid vector?Is DNA methylation part of gene transcription regulation?Is DNA methylation involved in DNA repair?What are the guidelines should I follow when designing primers?What is the structure of transcription factors?