Nucleotides

Nucleotides are molecules that make up the structure of either DNA and RNA. It plays an important role in metabolism too as it act as the source of chemical energy like ATP(adenosine triphosphate) or GTP(guanosine triphosphate), involve in cellular signaling and forms important cofactors in enzymatic reactions. It composed of :

1. A nitrogenous base
2. A pentose sugar (5C)
3. A phosphate

The functions of nucleotides included:

1. Building blocks or monomeric units in the nucleic acid structure.
2. Structural components of several coenzymes of B-complex vitamins e.g. FAD,NAD+
3. Carriers of high energy intermediates in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, lipids & proteins e.g. UDP-glucose.
4. Involved in energy reactions of the cell e.g ATP is the energy currency of the cell.
5. Control several metabolic reactions by their action as allosteric regulators.

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