Which of the following nucleotides is not found in the DNA molecules?
Answer Details
The nucleotide that is not found in DNA molecules is uracil.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a type of nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and function of all living organisms. DNA is made up of repeating units called nucleotides, which consist of a sugar molecule (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T).
Uracil (U) is a nitrogenous base that is similar in structure to thymine, but it does not occur in DNA. Instead, uracil is found in RNA (ribonucleic acid), which is another type of nucleic acid that is involved in the synthesis of proteins.
RNA is similar to DNA in many ways, but it contains a different sugar molecule (ribose) and can have uracil in place of thymine. This difference in nucleotide composition allows RNA to perform a range of functions that are distinct from those of DNA.
Therefore, the nucleotide that is not found in DNA molecules is uracil. The other three nucleotides - adenine, cytosine, and guanine - are all found in DNA.