Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside, Major Differences
Difference between nucleotide and nucleoside is that the nucleotide has a phosphate group. While nucleosides lack it and differ in their structural composition.
Khushboo Goyal13 Aug, 2025
Share
Difference between Nucleotide and Nucleoside: The nucleotide and nucleoside are fundamental to genetic processes. These types of molecules are essential DNA and RNA components. It governs genetic information and cellular functions. They have structural and functional differences. Understanding the difference between nucleotide and nucleoside is crucial for students preparing for exams like NEET.
A nucleotide is a genetic block composed of a phosphate, sugar, and a base. It is essential for building DNA and RNA. Nucleoside is a genetic building block without phosphate. It consists of a sugar and a base and plays a role in cellular processes. Read this article for complete details on the difference between nucleotide and nucleoside.
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside Overview
Nucleotides are the basic components of nucleic acids. This compound comprises a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base. On the other hand, nucleosides lack the phosphate group and are made entirely of sugar and nitrogenous bases. Nucleotides are essential in genetic information storage and transmission. Understanding what is the difference between nucleoside and nucleotide helps in learn molecular biology concepts covered in the NEET Biology Syllabus.
| NEET Biology MCQ | NEET Biology Chapter wise Weightage |
| NEET Biology Notes | NEET Biology Diagrams |
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
The nucleotide contains the phosphate group needed to build the structures of DNA and RNA. On the other hand, a nucleoside lacks phosphate. Nucleotides have more scope than nucleosides. The complete difference between nucleotide and nucleoside is given in the table below.
| Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Nucleotide | Nucleoside |
| Phosphate Group | It contains a phosphate group, an essential part of its structure. | It does not contain a phosphate group. |
| Pentose Sugar | It consists of pentose sugar, either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA). | It also consists of a pentose sugar, either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA). |
| Nitrogenous Base | It contains a nitrogenous base. It can be adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine (in DNA), uracil, cytosine, or guanine (in RNA). | It also contains a nitrogenous base, the same as in nucleotides. |
| Role | It is the basic building block for forming nucleic acids, DNA, and RNA. | It is involved in the synthesis of nucleotides. When a phosphate group is added to a nucleoside, it forms a nucleotide. |
| Examples | Examples include ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), GTP, dATP, etc. | Examples include Adenosine, Guanosine, Thymidine, etc. |
Nucleotide
Nucleotide is a chemical molecule that forms the basis of both DNA and RNA. Nucleotides also have roles in metabolism, cell signaling, and enzyme functions. The nucleotide has a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a 5-carbon sugar. Nucleotides are compounds comprising a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base joined to a pentose sugar. One to three phosphate groups may be included in the pentose sugar with carbon-5.Nucleoside
A nucleoside is any nucleotide joined to the 5' carbon of pentose sugar and does not have a phosphate group. Depending on the pentose sugar component, a nucleoside can be categorized as a ribonucleoside or a deoxyribonucleoside. A nucleoside that has the ribose sugar component present is called a ribonucleoside. Conversely, a nucleoside containing deoxyribose sugar is called a deoxyribonucleoside. Cytidine, uridine, guanosine, inosine, thymidine, and adenosine are a few examples of nucleosides.
Difference Between Nucleotide and Nucleoside
Is ATP a nucleic acid?
No, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is not a nucleic acid. While it shares the adenine base with nucleic acids, ATP is a nucleotide. It lacks nucleic acid's long polymer chain characteristic.
Is DNA a polymer?
Yes, DNA is a polymer. It consists of a long chain of nucleotides composed of sugar, phosphate, and one of four nitrogenous bases.
Are nucleotides present in RNA?
No, nucleosides are not found in RNA. RNA consists of nucleotides, each comprising a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate group. Nucleosides lack the phosphate group and are not part of the RNA structure.
What are some examples of nucleotides?
Examples of nucleotides include ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, which are the building blocks for RNA and DNA.
What is the shape of DNA?
The shape of DNA is a double helix, resembling a twisted ladder. It is formed by two strands of nucleotides winding around each other, with a backbone of alternating deoxyribose sugar and phosphate groups.
What is a hypotonic solution?
A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst.
🔥 Trending Blogs
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.