When looking at the chemical structure of a nucleotide in RNA, which C atom in the ribose would uracil be attached to?
An explanation would be great too.
An explanation would be great too.
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All of the nitrogenous bases in DNA or RNA including uracil are attached to the number 1 carbon in the ribose/deoxyribose (the numbering is the same in each). You will find a picture of a numbered ribose here http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch106-09/nucleot… about halfway down the page. In the linear form of ribose, this carbon atom is the one that is the carbonyl group (RC=O). In the cyclic form this is still a reactive carbon because of the two oxygen atoms bonded to it (a hemiacetal if you have had organic chemistry).
Also remember when the nucleotide is being numbered, the carbon atoms in the ribose have a ' attached to them making this the 1' atom. Numbers with the ' (prime) refer to the nitrogenous base.
Also remember when the nucleotide is being numbered, the carbon atoms in the ribose have a ' attached to them making this the 1' atom. Numbers with the ' (prime) refer to the nitrogenous base.