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... is known as polynucleotides. Nucleotides itself can be further broken down to three components: * A pentose sugar * A nitrogen base * A phosphate group Diagram 1 shows a nucleotide As mentioned above there are two types of nucleic acids: DNA & RNA. DNA stores genetic information, and RNA allows that information to be made use of in the cell. NUCLEOSIDES Both DNA and RNA contain nucleotides with similar components. In RNA the sugar components is ribose and deoxyribose in DNA. The prefix 'deoxy' means that an oxygen atom is missing from one of the ribose carbon atom. When a sugar bonds together with a nitrogen base, it creates a structure known as a nucleoside. There are five nitrogen bases found in RNA and DNA. These bases are divided into two categories based on their molecular structure 1. Purines (adenine & guanine) 2. Pyrimidines (thymine, cytosine & uracil) Diagram 2 shows the nitrogen bases found in RNA and DNA HOW ...