Nucleotide metabolism refers to the biochemical processes that synthesize and degrade nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. This metabolism is crucial for cellular functions, including energy transfer, signaling, and the synthesis of genetic material. Nucleotides are composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and phosphate groups, and they can be synthesized de novo or recycled from existing nucleotides. The two main pathways for nucleotide metabolism are the de novo synthesis pathway and the salvage pathway. In the de novo pathway, nucleotides are synthesized from simpler molecules, while the salvage pathway recycles bases and nucleosides from degraded nucleic acids. Proper regulation of these pathways is essential for maintaining cellular health and function.