Question

In a single strand of a nucleic acid, nucleotides are linked by: a. hydrogen bonds. b. phosphodiester bonds. c. ionic bonds. d. van der Waals forces.

Short answer

b. phosphodiester bonds.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Components

Review the structure of nucleic acids, recognizing that nucleotides are the repeating units making up the strand.

Understand Bond Types

Recall the different bond types: hydrogen bonds (weak bonds often between complementary bases in double strands), phosphodiester bonds (links between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next), ionic bonds (formed between charged atoms), and van der Waals forces (weak, non-specific interactions).

Identify the Correct Bond Type in Context

Recognize that the nucleotides in a single strand of a nucleic acid are connected via bonds between the 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule and the 5' carbon atom of another sugar molecule, through a phosphate group.

Check Option Matching

Match the identified bond type (phosphodiester bond) with the provided options: hydrogen bonds, phosphodiester bonds, ionic bonds, and van der Waals forces.

Key concepts

nucleotide linkage

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids.
They are made of three main components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.
Nucleotides link together to form long chains, creating the backbone of DNA and RNA strands.
This linkage is crucial for the structure and function of nucleic acids.
In a single strand of nucleic acid, each nucleotide connects to the next one through a series of bonds. Let's delve into how these linkages work.

phosphodiester bond

The connection between nucleotides in a nucleic acid strand is called a phosphodiester bond.
This bond forms when a phosphate group connects to the 3' carbon of one sugar molecule and the 5' carbon of another sugar molecule.
This creates a strong and stable backbone for the nucleic acid strand. The phosphate group links the two sugars in a chain, joining the nucleotides in series to create a long molecule. Understanding the phosphodiester bond is essential because it is the glue holding the nucleotide sequence together.

nucleic acid bonds

In the context of nucleic acids, several types of bonds are involved, although not all are responsible for nucleotide linkage in single strands.
These include:

• Hydrogen bonds: These weak bonds usually occur between complementary bases of nucleotides in double-stranded DNA and RNA.
• Phosphodiester bonds: The main bonds that link nucleotides in a single strand
• Ionic bonds: These can happen between charged atoms but are not involved in nucleotide linkage.
• Van der Waals forces: These weak and non-specific interactions also don't play a role in connecting nucleotides.

Knowing these different bonds helps to understand the overall structure and interactions within nucleic acids.