What three molecules are found in a nucleotide?

A nucleotide is a fundamental building block of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of three specific components: a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. In the case of DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose, while in RNA, the sugar is ribose. The phosphate group connects the sugar of one nucleotide to the sugar of the next, forming the backbone of the nucleic acid. The nitrogenous base varies among different nucleotides and can be adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine for DNA (and uracil for RNA).

The combination of deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen base accurately describes the structure of a DNA nucleotide, which is essential for understanding genetic information storage and transmission. This foundational knowledge is crucial in genetics and molecular biology.