Answer:
A DNA nucleotide is composed of three main components: a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a deoxyribose sugar molecule.
1. Nitrogenous Base: This component determines the genetic information carried by DNA and can be adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), or guanine (G).
2. Phosphate Group: This is a phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms. It forms the backbone of the DNA molecule, linking individual nucleotides together through phosphodiester bonds.
3. Deoxyribose Sugar: This is a five-carbon sugar molecule that provides the structural framework for DNA. It forms the "sides" of the DNA molecule when combined with phosphate groups, creating the sugar-phosphate backbone.
So, in addition to the nitrogenous base, a DNA nucleotide contains a phosphate group and a deoxyribose sugar molecule, making up the complete structure of a nucleotide in DNA.
