Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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What is the purpose of nucleotides in genetics?

  1. Serve as building blocks of proteins

  2. Make up the structure of fats

  3. Form the basic units of DNA and RNA

  4. Act as energy carriers in cells

The correct answer is: Form the basic units of DNA and RNA

Nucleotides play a crucial role in genetics as they form the basic units of DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide is composed of three components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and at least one phosphate group. In DNA, nucleotides link together to create long chains, which make up the structure of the double helix, encoding genetic information essential for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. Similarly, RNA nucleotides are involved in protein synthesis and various other cellular functions. This intricate role makes them fundamental to the processes of heredity and genetic expression. While nucleotides do have various functions in cells, such as energy carriers (like ATP) and involvement in metabolic processes, their primary significance in the context of genetics is their role as the structural components of DNA and RNA. Understanding this foundational aspect is key when studying genetics and molecular biology.

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