Q. 17.15 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What nucleic acid subunits are connected in a phosphodiester linkage in a polynucleotide?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The sugar unit's $3\text{'}$ $OH$ group forms phosphodiester linkage with the phosphate group on the $5\text{'}$carbon of another sugar unit in a polynucleotide structure.

Step 1 : Introduction

The objective is to identify the nucleic acid subunits that are connected to a phosphodiester linkage in a polynucleotide 

Step 2 : Explanation

Nucleic acids are organic macromolecules that are present all over the cell. They were first discovered in the nuclei of cells. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are found in all known forms of life. 

One of the components of nucleotide structure is nitrogen bases. Purines and pyrimidines are nitrogen bases that form various nucleotide structures.

Step 3 : Nucleotide

A nucleotide is made up of three parts: a sugar with five carbons, a nitrogen base, and a phosphate group. 

The $\mathrm{N}$ - glycosidic connection connects the nitrogen atom of the base to the carbon $1$ of the sugar, while the sugar's carbon $5$ forms an ester linkage with the phosphate group.

Step 4 : polynucleotide structure

The sugar unit's $3\text{'}$ $\mathrm{OH}$ group forms phosphodiester linkage with the phosphate group on the $5\text{'}$ carbon of another sugar unit in a polynucleotide structure.