Chapter 23, Problem 11RQ

What is the difference between a nucleic acid and a nucleotide?

To determine

The difference between nucleic acid and a nucleotide.

Answer to Problem 11RQ

The nucleic acids are the biopolymer of nucleotide where each nucleotide is composed of a sugar molecule, a heterocyclic nitrogenous base and phosphoric acid group.

Explanation of Solution

Nucleic acids are macromolecules present in the living organism. Nucleic acid control the synthesis of protein and also responsible for storing the complete description of living organism and passing the information from one generation to another.

The major points which differentiate a nucleic acid and a nucleotide are explained below.

The structural unit of nucleic acid are nucleotides. However, a nucleoside which is attached through its sugar to phosphoric acid group is termed as nucleotide.

Thus, nucleic acid is considered as the polymer present in the living system. They are also called polynucleotides since the repeating structural unit of nucleic is a nucleotide.

Conclusion:

A nucleotide is considered as the monomeric unit for the nucleic acids. A nucleic acid is thus named as polynucleotide. Nucleic acid is composed of nucleotide whereas nucleotide is composed of three basic components that are sugar molecule, a heterocyclic nitrogenous base and phosphoric acid group.