Final answer:
The base in a nucleotide is joined at N to C1' of sugar via a glycosidic bond. This bond is critical in forming the nucleotide structure, which is the basic unit of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The base is joined at N to C1' of sugar via a glycosidic bond. Specifically, in nucleotides, this bond forms between C1' of the pentose sugar and either N1 of the pyrimidine base or N9 of the purine base. The glycosidic bond is a covalent bond that joins a carbohydrate molecule to another group, which can be another carbohydrate or a different type of molecule like a nitrogenous base. In the context of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, a nucleoside is formed through an N-glycosyl linkage when the nitrogenous base is linked to the pentose sugar's -OH group at the first carbon. Overall, these bonds are significant because they form the backbone structure of nucleic acid chains and contribute to their stability and function within the cell.