nucleotide
UK[ˈnjuːkliətaɪd]US[ˈnuːkliətaɪd]
n
A compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group. Nucleotides form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.
n
(Biochemistry) Any of a group of molecules that, when linked together, form the building blocks of DNA or RNA.
Morpheme Breakdown
nucle
o
tide
nucle
kernel, core
o
connecting vowel
tide
chemical compound
Etymology
The word 'nucleotide' is a modern scientific compound formed in the early 20th century. Its first element, 'nucle-', originates from the Latin 'nucleus', meaning a kernel or core, reflecting its initial identification as a core component within the cell's nucleus. The connecting vowel '-o-' is a common feature in Greco-Latin scientific terminology. The suffix '-tide' was abstracted from related biochemical terms like 'peptide' and 'glycoside', establishing a pattern to denote specific classes of chemical compounds. Thus, the term logically builds from the concept of a "core chemical unit" to precisely name the fundamental building block of nucleic acids.
Analysis
Structure: nucle (kernel, core) + o (connecting vowel) + tide (chemical compound)
- nucle: From Latin nucleus (kernel, inner part). Denotes the core component.
- o: A connecting vowel, typically of Greek origin, used to join word parts.
- tide: A suffix derived from the ending of words like peptide and glycoside, indicating a chemical compound or derivative.
Examples
DNA is a polymer made up of many nucleotide monomers linked together.
Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the nitrogenous bases found in the nucleotides of DNA.
The sequence of nucleotides in a gene determines the structure of a protein.