Final answer:
DNA and RNA nucleotides can be distinguished by the sugar and nitrogenous base composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA nucleotides and RNA nucleotides can be discriminated based on their structure and composition.
DNA contains a sugar called deoxyribose, while RNA contains a sugar called ribose. Additionally, DNA contains the nitrogenous base thymine, whereas RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil. This difference in sugar and nitrogenous base composition results in distinct nucleotides for DNA and RNA.
For example, in DNA, a nucleotide consists of deoxyribose, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T). In RNA, a nucleotide consists of ribose, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or uracil (U).