Chapter 3, Problem 1E

Summary Introduction

To name: The nucleotide that is given in the question.

Concept introduction:

Nucleotides are ubiquitous molecules and building blocks of nucleic acids. Nucleotides without a phosphate group are called nucleosides. They consist of three subunits of molecules such as a nitrogenous base, a ribose or deoxyribose sugar, and at least one phosphate group. The nitrogenous bases of the nucleotides consist of a purine or pyrimidine base that is linked to the ribose. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is made up of deoxynucleotides, whereas the ribonucleic acid (RNA) is made up of ribonucleotides.

Answer to Problem 1E

Correct answer:

The given nucleotide is identified as guanosine diphosphate.

Pictorial representation:

Fig.1 shows the structure of the guanosine diphosphate in which all the components are labeled.

Fig.1: Guanosine diphosphate

Explanation of Solution

Explanation:

The given structure in the diagram is of the nucleoside diphosphate called guanosine diphosphate, as identified by its components (Fig.1). The nucleobase in the given structure is the purine derivative guanine, which has the formula C₅H₅N₅O₁. It is a planar and bicyclic molecule. It contains a pyrimidine-imidazole fused ring structure with conjugated double bonds. Ribose sugar is an organic single-ring 5-carbon compound. It consists of five carbon atoms, five oxygen atoms, and ten hydrogen atoms that are bonded together. The guanine and ribose sugar together form the nucleoside guanosine, which is attached to the diphosphate moiety. Diphosphate is an ester that contains two phosphate groups.