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Glite Dictionary
deoxynucleotide

deoxynucleotide

9.9
A building block of DNA with a deoxyribose sugar
  • noun
  • /diˌɒksɪˈnjuːklɪˌtaɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : deoxinucleótido
  • A deoxynucleotide is one of the building blocks of DNA.

Examples

  • The sequence of deoxynucleotides determines genetic information.

  • Researchers added a fluorescent deoxynucleotide to track the replication process.

  • Each deoxynucleotide can pair with a complementary base during DNA synthesis.

  • A deoxynucleotide is essential for DNA synthesis.

  • A deoxynucleotide is one of the building blocks of DNA.

  • Each deoxynucleotide can pair with a complementary base during DNA synthesis.

  • The sequence of deoxynucleotides determines genetic information.

Synonyms

nucleotide
vsdeoxynucleotide
  • Specialized
14 6.6

A small unit that makes up DNA and RNA, containing sugar, a base, and phosphate

is the specific type that contains a deoxyribose sugar rather than ribose
mononucleotide
vsdeoxynucleotide
  • Specialized
7.7

A small molecule that is the single unit of DNA or RNA, with a sugar, a base, and a phosphate

is defined by having a deoxy sugar rather than by being a single unit

Surface Forms

deoxynucleotide singular
deoxynucleotides plural

Morphology

deoxynucleotide = nucleotide (semi-transparent) = deoxy + nucleotide

Formed by the technical combining form 'deoxy-' added to 'nucleotide'; the structure is clear but the prefix is specialized scientific vocabulary.

Etymology

Deoxynucleotide breaks into deoxy- and nucleotide, where deoxy- means 'without oxygen' as in the word oxygen, and nucleotide means a 'building block' of genes. So a deoxynucleotide is a nucleotide whose sugar is 'without oxygen', which is why deoxynucleotides are the pieces that make up DNA.