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First and foremost, nucleotides are used in the human body as monomers for building nucleic acids. The nucleic acids they build are RNA and DNA which are extremely vital for the body. However, there are also nucleotides that are used in the body for functions other than the creation of nucleic acids. Nucleotides such as acetyl coenzyme A, NAD, and FAD all have a hand in the production of ATP (which is also a nucleotide) which is the energy currency of cells. When a human ingests glucose via the eating of a sandwich, per se, most of the glucose is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP. Part of the cellular respiration process is glycolysis, which handles the glucose. In glycolysis, glucose is broken down into 2 pyruvates and ATP and NADH, and the pyruvates, ethanol and lactic acid, enter the mitochondrial matrix of the mitochondria in the cell for further processing. They are broken down into 2 NADH's and 2 Acetyl Coenzyme A's. The Acetyl Coenzyme A's then go through the Kreb's Cycle to produce 6 NADH, 2 ATP, and 2 FADH2. The generated NADH goes through electron transport, and the generated FADH2 goes through ATP synthesis and together, along with the ATP generated along the way, they form the 38 molecules of ATP used by the cell gained from the glycolysis cycle. The ATP is then used as energy to carry out cell work, such as muscle contractions, ventilation, and other bodily actions. Also, in the ATP formation process FADH2 (which is simply FAD after it has picked up 2 electrons and 2 protons from inside the mitochondrial matrix) acts to carry the load from the Krebs cycle to the electron transport system in nearby mitochondrial inner membranes. So FADH2 doesn't only contribute to the ATP production, but it serves as a carrying molecule as well. Another nucleotide that helps the human body in a way other than creating nucleic acids is cyclic adenosine monophosphate, or cAMP. cAMP is a second messenger molecule, used for intracellular signal transduction, such as transferring the effects of hormones like glucagon and adrenaline, which cannot pass through the cell membrane. It is also involved in the activation of protein kinases and regulates the effects of adrenaline and glucagons on the body. Thus, the nucleotides acetyl coenzyme A, NAD, FAD, and cAMP are all used in cells in the human body in ways other than building nucleic acids.

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Related Questions

What are nucleotides used for?

Nucleotides are used for DNA and RNA. DNA is information needed so that they are able to align themselves. Also, this is what keeps all the organisms in your body to remain alive.


How do you think your body uses the nucleotides and amino acids that are found in black beans?

The nucleotides and amino acids found in black beans are used by the body to build proteins, enzymes, and other molecules essential for cell function and growth. Nucleotides are also important for DNA and RNA synthesis, while amino acids are the building blocks of proteins needed for various physiological processes in the body.


Can nucleic acids be broken down by the body to yield basic nutrients?

Yes. Nucleic acids are long polymers of nucleotides that are made up of a sugar, a base, and a phosphate group. The components of nucleotides could be used as nutrients.


The instructions in nucleotides are used to make what?

Cells


Describe the role of protein synthesis DNA nucleotides ribosomes rough ER?

RNA is the main protein synthesis DNA nucleotides ribosomes. This is part of the body.


How does the body collected process and store your information?

The body collects, processes and stores information in its DNA. DNA encodes information as a series of nucleotides. Nucleotides have 4 different bases. Nucleotides are grouped in threes and this is referred to as a Base Triplet Code. Each BTC will determine which amino acid is added to a protein molecule that is being synthesized.


Describe the role of protein synthesis DNA nucleotides RNA ribosomes rough ER?

BBC is part of the role in protein synthesis DNA nucleotides RNA. This is part of the body.


Do the rna nucleotides pair exactly as they were DNA replication?

No, RNA nucleotides in transcription pair with complementary DNA nucleotides according to the base pairing rules (A-U, G-C), as opposed to replicating DNA in which DNA nucleotides pair with complementary DNA nucleotides (A-T, G-C).


Where are nucleotides when they aren't being used in DNA molecule?

Nucleus


During which step in the PCR cycle are nucleotides used?

Extention


Used to describe the 3 nucleotides at the base of the cloverleaf of tRNA?

anticodon


Do nucleotides only pair with certain other nucleotides based on their properties?

Yes, nucleotides pair with specific complementary nucleotides based on their chemical properties.