AAMC FL Practice Exam

The relationship between the 5' phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl group (OH) of another nucleotide is defined by a phosphodiester bond. This type of bond is crucial for the structural framework of DNA and RNA.

In DNA, nucleotides are linked together by forming a phosphodiester bond during the process of polymerization, which connects the 5' carbon of the sugar of one nucleotide to the 3' carbon of the sugar of an adjacent nucleotide. This bond involves a phosphate group from the 5' position of one nucleotide that connects to the hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon of the next nucleotide. The formation of this bond occurs as a result of a condensation reaction, where a water molecule is released.

This linkage creates a backbone of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, which is essential for the stability and integrity of the nucleic acid structure. The specific orientation of the backbone (going from 5' to 3') is also critical for various biological processes, including DNA replication and transcription.