Which term describes a nucleoside that contains a purine base?

Study for the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes a nucleoside that contains a purine base?

Explanation:
A nucleoside is formed when a sugar binds to a nitrogenous base. If that base is a purine (adenine or guanine), the molecule is a purine nucleoside, such as adenosine or guanosine. A nucleotide would add one or more phosphate groups to the sugar, which is why it’s not just a nucleoside. The sugar alone or the phosphate alone don’t describe a base-attached nucleoside, so the term that fits a nucleoside containing a purine base is purine nucleoside.

A nucleoside is formed when a sugar binds to a nitrogenous base. If that base is a purine (adenine or guanine), the molecule is a purine nucleoside, such as adenosine or guanosine. A nucleotide would add one or more phosphate groups to the sugar, which is why it’s not just a nucleoside. The sugar alone or the phosphate alone don’t describe a base-attached nucleoside, so the term that fits a nucleoside containing a purine base is purine nucleoside.

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