If DNA is the building block of life, then the nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA. But what is a nucleotide exactly? Nucleotides are a class of organic compounds that make up nucleic acid, the substance that defines hereditary traits of all living organisms. Nucleotides are an essential part of DNA, RNA, and cell function, and they can serve many purposes depending on their structure and chemical compounds.

We’ll go over the nucleotide definition, the different types of nucleotides out there, what makes each type of nucleotide unique, and why nucleotides are involved in nearly all cellular activities.

If you’re looking into majoring in a business-related field, you might find yourself looking into accounting programs. And accounting is a great choice: not only are accounting degrees in demand, but accounting is a field that tends to remain stable even during economic recessions. After all, businesses still need to make sure they’re running payroll, auditing their finances, and paying their taxes on time. 

If you’re thinking about majoring in accounting, there are a lot of benefits to attending one of the top accounting programs in the nation. Not only will you get a top-rate education, you’ll also have access to top-level faculty, networking events, and internships (among other perks). 

In this article, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the 12 best accounting colleges in the United States. We’ll also share our top tips for getting into competitive accounting programs. 

Some students know exactly what they want to major in long before applying to college. For the rest of us, choosing a college major is a big decision, and we have to consider future job prospects as well as the coursework you’ll encounter while at school. Business majors open the door to jobs that require a Bachelors’ degree, and they will allow you to secure a wide range of jobs in the corporate world.

The great thing about top business majors is that you get a well-rounded education, and get to learn about the cross-section of creativity and data, all while preparing for a rewarding career where you get to see the results of your hard work on a daily basis. The other awesome thing is that “business” is broad and there’s a lot of different industries, so by majoring in business you can give yourself the opportunity to work in a field you’re passionate about.

Antiderivatives can be difficult enough to solve on their own, but when you’ve got two functions multiplied together that you need to take the antiderivative of, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where the integration by parts formula comes in!

This handy formula can make your calculus homework much easier by helping you find antiderivatives that otherwise would be difficult and time consuming to work out. In this guide, we’ explain the formula, walk you through each step you need to take to integrate by parts, and solve example problems so you can become an integration by parts expert yourself.

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what the HiSET is and have decided that taking the HiSET Exam is the correct decision for you. That’s a great first step on the journey to earning your high school equivalency!

As you’re probably aware, the HiSET Exam is not cheap (it can potentially cost as much as $125 after administrative or testing center fees), so you likely will not want to take it multiple times. It’s definitely better to prepare beforehand so you’ll only need to pay that fee once.

That’s why we’re going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET practice tests:

• What the HiSET Exam is
• Why you should take a practice test
• How this article can help you prepare for the HiSET practice test
• A list of available HiSET practice tests
• How to get the most out of the HiSET practice test

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get moving!

Not only is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird one of the most widely taught books in American high schools, but it's also one of the most popular books in general. In fact, it was just recently voted "America’s favorite novel"! Its popularity has endured for decades, and it’s still taught in schools across the United States today.

That’s why we’re explaining the top 18 To Kill a Mockingbird quotes for you. In addition to becoming familiar with the stand-out moments of the novel, by the end of this article you’ll have a deeper understanding of the book’s themes, characters, and most important elements.

One of the most memorable scenes of the 1993 version of Jurassic Park comes when bumbling scientist Wayne Nedry encounters a rogue Dilophosaurus while trying to escape the park.

Nedry is trying to free his car from some mud when he happens upon the Dilophosaurus. Initially, Nedry isn’t phased by the dinosaur, which looks too tiny to be a threat. Just when he thinks he’s safe, however, the Dilophosaurus spits poison in his face — ultimately leading to Nedry’s demise.

The scene from Jurassic Park is entertaining, sure, but factually accurate? Not so much. In this article, we break the truth about the Dilophosaurus: what it was, how it lived and how it’s portrayed in pop culture.

Praying mantises are one of the world’s most fascinating insects. Not only do they look interesting, with their unique forelegs tucked up under their heads as if they’re praying, but they’re also known for a pretty creepy reproductive trait—sexual cannibalism.

In this article, we’ll be sharing some of the most interesting praying mantis facts, as well as their life cycle, their macabre mating habits, and whether or not these little predators pose any danger to humans.

Everybody loves looking like the smartest person in the room with cool and interest facts. While I’m a big fan of random and fun facts, Did You Know Facts are facts that you can use as supporting evidence, whether it’s in a timed essay, a debate, or even a conversation. Did You Know Facts help expand your knowledge base so you’re prepared for any situation, and have the benefit of making you seem like you know what you’re talking about on any subject.

Finishing high school the "traditional" way isn't the right path for everyone. That's why there are exams you can take to earn what's known as a high school equivalency (HSE) credential in the U.S. The HiSET Exam is a test that allows you to earn an HSE credential if you discontinued your high school education but want the equivalent of a high school diploma.

The HiSET isn't the only high school equivalency exam option. (You've probably heard quite a bit about another HSE test, the GED.) We're betting you have a lot of questions about how the HiSET works, what taking the exam will be like, and what you can do with the HiSET once you take the exam.

That's why we're going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET Exam:

• What the HiSET Exam is
• Who can take the HiSET Exam
• The four most important details to know before you register for the HiSET, including how much the exam costs
• What to expect when you take the exam, including the length of the exam, exam format, and its contents
• Four key differences between the HiSET Exam and the GED
• Four resources to help you learn more about and prep for the HiSET Exam

We've got a lot to cover, so let's get moving!

If you're planning on taking the ACT, you may know that you'll need an admission ticket (and photo ID) to get into the testing center. Because ACT, Inc. makes such a big deal about these tickets, figuring out how to get it just right can be one of the most stressful parts of registering for the test. But don't worry—the process isn't as complicated as it seems.

This guide will walk you through exactly what the ACT admission ticket is, how to get one, and what to do if you lose yours (it's not as bad you think!).

Learning to read and understand poetry is tricky business. Between the tough terminology—what is synecdoche, anyway?!—and complicated structure, it can sometimes feel impossible to understand what a poet is trying to say. Unfortunately, if you're going to take the AP Literature exam, you're going to have to figure out how to quickly read and understand poetry.

One of the best ways to get a handle on poetry is to read a poem along with a detailed explanation of both what the poem means and how the poet conveys that meaning.

To do this, we're going to take a look at Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night," one of the most famous poems of the 20th century. Not only will you have a handle on the poem's overall message, but you'll also understand the most important techniques Dylan Thomas uses to convey that meaning to the reader.

We promise: by the end of this article, poetry will seem a lot less scary. So let's get started!

If you look closely at the United States Pledge of Allegiance, you'll see that it calls the United States a republic. It reads: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." So what does that mean, exactly? Can the United States be both a democracy and a republic? And what is the difference between a democracy and republic, anyway?

As it turns out, there are subtle, but important, differences between a democracy and a republic, and that the definitions aren't mutually exclusive. In other words, it's complicated. But don't worry! Knowing the differences between a republic vs a democracy is important for tons of AP exams, including both history tests (U.S. and world) and both government and politics tests (U.S. and comparative). That's why we've put this guide together for you.

By the end of this article, you'll know the definitions of a democracy and a republic, how they operate, the differences between them, and where the United States fits into the discussion.

So let's get started!

A lot of students immediately think of vocabulary when they hear the word SAT. But are SAT vocab words really that important for doing well on the test, especially the new digital SAT? Kind of. If you’re aiming for a high score, you’ll definitely want to spend some time learning key SAT words.

In this guide, we give you a comprehensive list of 381 of the most common digital SAT vocabulary words. We also explain how vocab is tested on the digital SAT, what types of questions you’ll see, and how to get the most out of your vocab prep.

Want to dominate your weekly trivia contest? Just looking to expand your knowledge with a variety of random facts? We’ve got you covered! This article contains 113 interesting facts about topics ranging from outer space to history to pop culture. By reading these facts, you’ll learn what camels actually store in their humps, why sunsets on Mars are blue, what crazy use ancient Romans had for human urine, and more. We’ve organized these facts into eight categories. Read all of them or just focus on the specific areas you want to learn more weird facts about!