What type of bond links nucleotides together

The Giant Molecules of Life Polynucleotides. Nucleotides are the building blocks of polymers called polynucleotides. Each nucleotide monomer consists of a pentose five-carbon sugar, to which is attached two other groups; a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous base is either a double ringed structure known as a purine or single ringed structure known as a pyrimidine. There are five common nitrogenous bases; adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine and uracil.

Nucleotides are joined together by covalent bonds between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the third carbon atom of the pentose sugar in the next nucleotide. This produces an alternating backbone of sugar - phosphate - sugar - phosphate all along the polynucleotide chain. This results in a loss of a molecule of water, making this a condensation reaction, also called a dehydration synthesis.

What covalent bond links nucleotides together? Chemistry Bonding Basics Covalent Bonding. Jul 2, Explanation: Nucleotides are linked together by the formation of a phosphodiester bond which is formed between the 3' -OH group of one sugar molecule, and the 5' phosphate group on the adjacent sugar molecule.

Nucleotides are joined by phosphodiester bonds in a polynucleotide strand. Explanation: Remember however that hydrogen bonds join the two polynucleotide strands themselves.

Related questions How do I determine the molecular shape of a molecule? What is the lewis structure for co2? These interactions are specific: A base pairs with T, and C base pairs with G. This occurs via hydrogen bonds, which are shown with dotted lines in the figure above.

If DNA were thought of as a spiral staircase, the base pairs would be the steps. This is illustrated in the figure below. This structure places the non-polar bases of DNA in the center of the double-stranded molecule, surrounded by the charged phosphate groups.

This has two functional consequences. First, remember that like charges repel each other. The double-helix structure, with negatively charged phosphates on the outside edges, allows the phosphates to be as far apart as possible.