Q. 17.18 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What component in the backbone of nucleic acid is bonded to a nitrogen base?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The component present in the backbone of nucleic acid is bonded to a nitrogen base is identified and explained

Step 1 : Introduction

The objective is to identify the components in the backbone of nucleic acid in a nitrogen base

Step 2 : Explanation

Nucleic acids are organic macromolecules that are present all over the cell. They were first discovered in the nuclei of cells. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are found in all known forms of life. 

One of the components of nucleotide structure is nitrogen bases. Purines and pyrimidines are nitrogen bases that form various nucleotide structures.

Step 3 : Phosphate and sugar

The backbone structure of nucleic acid is made up of phosphate and sugar. Both DNA and RNA have a sugar-phosphate backbone that serves as a structural foundation. 

The five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) is bound to a nitrogen base in the backbone structure of nucleic acid.