Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between a Ribonucleotide and a Deoxyribonucleotide?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between a Ribonucleotide and a Deoxyribonucleotide?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between a ribonucleotide and a deoxyribonucleotide lies in the sugar component and the nitrogenous bases they contain. Here are the key differences:

  1. Sugar Component: Ribonucleotides contain ribose as the sugar component, while deoxyribonucleotides contain deoxyribose as the sugar component.
  2. Nitrogenous Bases: Ribonucleotides contain uracil as one of their nitrogenous bases, while deoxyribonucleotides contain thymine instead of uracil.
  3. 2' Carbon: Ribonucleotides have an -OH group on the 2' carbon of the ribose sugar, while deoxyribonucleotides have an H atom on the 2' carbon of the deoxyribose sugar.

In summary, ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides differ in their sugar components, with ribonucleotides containing ribose and deoxyribonucleotides containing deoxyribose. Additionally, they have different nitrogenous bases, with uracil in ribonucleotides and thymine in deoxyribonucleotides.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between a Ribonucleotide and a Deoxyribonucleotide?
  • Comparative Table: a Ribonucleotide vs a Deoxyribonucleotide

    • Comparative Table: a Ribonucleotide vs a Deoxyribonucleotide

    The main difference between a ribonucleotide and a deoxyribonucleotide lies in the sugar component and the type of nucleic acid they form. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

    Feature Ribonucleotide Deoxyribonucleotide
    Sugar Component Ribose Deoxyribose
    Nitrogenous Bases Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine
    Function Cell regulation, cell signaling, can be converted into ATP or Cyclic AMP Genetic material in most living organisms
    Carbon Atom Configuration 2' Carbon has an OH group 2' Carbon has an H atom
    Structural Flexibility More flexible Less flexible
    Configuration at C-1 β (Beta) α (Alpha)

    Both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides are nucleotides, which serve as building blocks for RNA and DNA, respectively. They both have three components: a base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group. Additionally, they form phosphodiester bonds by 3'-5' linkage with other nucleotides.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.