NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, reduced form) and NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, oxidized form) are essential coenzymes involved in redox reactions in biological systems.
NAD+ Structure:
- NAD+ consists of two nucleotides joined by their phosphate groups.
- One nucleotide contains an adenine base, and the other contains a nicotinamide base.
- The structure features a ribose sugar attached to both nucleotides, and it has a positive charge due to the nitrogen in the nicotinamide ring.
NADH Structure:
- NADH has the same basic structure as NAD+, with the key difference being that NADH has an additional hydrogen atom associated with the nicotinamide ring.
- This additional hydrogen atom gives NADH its reducing capacity, allowing it to donate electrons in metabolic reactions.
You can visualize these structures through molecular models or structural representations available in biochemistry resources. Recognizing the differences in these structures is crucial for understanding their roles in cellular respiration and energy metabolism.