A nucleotide is made up of
A) a 5 carbon (pentose) sugar, three phosphate groups, and a nitrogen containing (nitrogenous) acid.
B) a pentose sugar, three phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base.
C) three pentose sugars, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous acid.
D) three pentose sugars, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
E) a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and three nitrogenous acids.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A nucleotide consists of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and one to three phosphate groups. Therefore, the correct option is B, which includes a pentose sugar, three phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base. Option A is incorrect because it includes three phosphate groups, which is possible but not the general case. Option C and D are incorrect because they include three pentose sugars, which is not true, as a nucleotide has only one pentose sugar. Option E is incorrect because it includes three nitrogenous acids, which is not true.

A Nucleotide Is Made Up of