This graph shows how quickly ultraviolet (UV) energy deposited in the electrons of a nucleoside is converted to heat, which is then absorbed by water surrounding the nucleoside. Here, time is measured in femtoseconds, or quadrillions of a second. The diagram to the upper right of the image depicts a particular nucleoside -- adenosine. This molecule consists of a UV-absorbing base (shown in red) and a simple sugar (shown in gray) that binds it to the RNA backbone. This base is also found in DNA. Credit: Ohio State University
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