Nucleotides are the single units that make up nucleic acids like RNA and DNA. The nucleotide consists of a cyclic nucleobase, a pentose sugar like ribose or deoxyribose, and a phosphate or polyphosphate group. so, a nucleotide is the mix of 3 different molecules. to make DNA or RNA, nucleotides bind together to form polynucleotides. 3 nucleotides bonded together code for specific amino acids.