|
|
In cells, a free nucleotide may contain one, two or three phosphate groups. The energy carrier ATP (adenosine triphosphate) has three phosphate groups; ADP (adenosine diphosphate) has two; AMP (adenosine monophosphate) has one. Their structures are shown in the following figure.
Figure 3-A-4. (a) A computer model of AMP. (b) Chemical structures of Adenosine, ADP and ATP. They differ in the number of phosphate groups.
If all phosphate groups are removed, a nucleotide becomes a nucleoside such as adenosine. The following table lists various nucleosides and nucleotides. Table 3-A-1. Cellular nucleosides and
nucleotides.
|
