Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. They are composed of three main parts: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group. The chemical elements found in nucleotides include:
- Carbon (C): Present in the sugar and the nitrogenous base.
- Hydrogen (H): Found in the sugar, the nitrogenous base, and the phosphate group.
- Oxygen (O): Present in the sugar and the phosphate group.
- Nitrogen (N): Found in the nitrogenous base.
- Phosphorus (P): Present in the phosphate group.
These elements combine in specific ways to form the structure of nucleotides, which are essential for storing and transmitting genetic information.