phosphate group and deoxyribose The groups are 1. Phosphate 2. Deoxyribose sugar 3. Nitrogen base The phosphates and deoxyribose sugars make up the sides of the \"ladder\" (alternating one after the other) and nitrogen bases are the \"rungs\" of the ladder. Solution phosphate group and deoxyribose The groups are 1. Phosphate 2. Deoxyribose sugar 3. Nitrogen base The phosphates and deoxyribose sugars make up the sides of the \"ladder\" (alternating one after the other) and nitrogen bases are the \"rungs\" of the ladder..