Difference Between Nucleoside and Nucleotide
Main difference
Both the nucleoside and the nucleotide are nitrogenous bases linked with a five-carbon sugar, while the nucleotide differs from the nucleoside in that it is also linked with one or more phosphate groups. Nucleotide = Carbonic sugar + Nitrogenous base + Phosphate. Nucleoside = carbon sugar + nitrogenous base
Comparison chart
| nucleoside | nucleotide | |
| Chemical composition | Nucleosides are organic molecules that contain a sugar carbon attached to a nitrogenous base. | Nucleotides are the organic molecules that contain a sugar carbon attached to a nitrogenous base and also to a phosphate group. |
| examples | The common type of nucleoside includes adenosine, uridine, inosine, thymidine, cytidine, guanosine, etc. | Common examples include adenosine triphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, uridine monophosphate, etc. |
| Applications | A nucleoside is used to make nucleotides that are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. They are also used as antiviral and anticancer agents. | Nucleotides are the simplest functional unit of DNA and RNA. They are the building blocks of RNA and DNA. Store data and also work as a catalyst. |
| RNA/DNA building block | No | Yes |
What is nucleoside?
A nucleoside is an organic molecule by nature; It is made up of a five-carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous base can be any nitrogenous base depending on the type of nucleoside to be developed. The most common type of nitrogenous bases used as the building block of the nucleoside is adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, etc. A nucleoside can be created from a nucleotide simply by attaching one or more phosphate groups to it. Nucleoside analogs are very important and famous regarding their use in medicine. They also function as anticancer and antiviral agents.
Nucleotides are the organic molecules that are considered to be the simplest functional unit of RNA and DNA. They are the building blocks of RNA and DNA. Nucleotides are composed of a 5-carbon sugar attached to a nitrogenous base and also to a phosphate group. At least the presence of a single phosphate group is necessary for a nucleotide to convert to nucleotide from nucleoside. There can be as many as needed. Nucleoside can be converted to nucleotide simply by adding a phosphate group to the nucleoside.
Nucleoside vs. Nucleotide
- The nucleoside consists of carbon sugar and a nitrogenous base only.
- A nucleotide consists of carbon sugar, nitrogenous base and phosphate group as well.
- Nucleoside analogs are used in medicines as antiviral and anticancer agents.
- Nucleotides are the building blocks and the simplest functional unit of RNA and DNA.
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Nucleotides also function as catalysts and store information while they are part of DNA and RNA.