dNTPs (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates)
spare nucleotides the polymerase uses to build the DNA sequence copies
dNTPs (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates) are building blocks of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules. They are essential for DNA replication, repair, and synthesis during cell division. The four dNTPs include:
1. Adenosine triphosphate (dATP)
2. Guanosine triphosphate (dGTP)
3. Cytidine triphosphate (dCTP)
4. Thymidine triphosphate (dTTP)
The structure of a dNTP molecule consists of a nitrogenous base, a deoxyribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The nitrogenous base can be either adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine. The specific base pairing during DNA replication occurs between adenine and thymine (A-T) and between guanine and cytosine (G-C).
During DNA replication, the double-stranded DNA molecule unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. The dNTPs then pair up with the complementary nucleotides on the template strand according to the base pairing rules. The polymerization of dNTPs into a new strand of DNA is catalyzed by enzymes called DNA polymerases. The energy for DNA synthesis comes from the hydrolysis of the phosphate groups, which releases pyrophosphate (PPi) as a byproduct.
In summary, dNTPs are essential for DNA replication and synthesis, and their correct pairing is necessary for the accurate transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.
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