Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Nucleic Acids

Biochemistry

1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Nucleic Acids

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Multiple Choice

Nucleic acids are assembled in the _____ direction.

5' to 3'

3' to 5'

C to N

N to C

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of nucleic acids: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are polymers made up of nucleotide monomers. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base.

Learn the directionality of nucleic acids: Nucleic acids have a specific orientation due to the structure of the sugar-phosphate backbone. The 5' end refers to the phosphate group attached to the 5th carbon of the sugar, while the 3' end refers to the hydroxyl group attached to the 3rd carbon of the sugar.

Understand the process of polymerization: During nucleic acid synthesis, nucleotides are added to the growing chain by forming phosphodiester bonds. This occurs between the 3' hydroxyl group of the last nucleotide in the chain and the phosphate group of the incoming nucleotide.

Recognize the correct direction of assembly: The polymerization process always proceeds in the 5' to 3' direction, meaning new nucleotides are added to the 3' end of the growing strand.

Eliminate incorrect options: The 3' to 5' direction is incorrect for nucleic acid assembly. 'C to N' and 'N to C' refer to protein synthesis, not nucleic acid synthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is 5' to 3'.