What are the subunits of DNA and their function?
1 Answer
Nucleotides are the subunits of DNA, they form the genetic code.
Explanation:
DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid) is a polymer that is made from the monomer building blocks called nucleotides.
Nucleotides have a similar structure (see image) and cosist of:
- a phosphate group
- a sugar (deoxyribose)
- a nitrogenous base
There are four different nucleotides in DNA that differ only in the nitrogenous base : adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine. The nucleotides bind together in specific pairs , adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine.
So, the function of nucleotides is to build DNA. The way they bind leads to the characteristic double helical structure of DNA. The order of the different nucleotides forms the genetic code. The cell reads the code to form proteins that perform all essential functions in the cells. Without these nucleotides, there would be no DNA and no living organisms!
