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

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Biochemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a phosphodiester bond in nucleic acids?

A hydrogen bond between complementary nitrogenous bases in DNA

An ionic bond between the phosphate group and the nitrogenous base

A covalent bond linking the 3'-hydroxyl group of one nucleotide's sugar to the 5'-phosphate group of the next nucleotide

A peptide bond connecting two amino acids

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of nucleic acids, which are composed of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base.

Step 2: Recall that nucleotides are linked together to form a nucleic acid strand. The linkage occurs between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate group of the next nucleotide, forming a backbone structure.

Step 3: Define a phosphodiester bond. It is a covalent bond that connects the 3'-hydroxyl group (-OH) of the sugar in one nucleotide to the 5'-phosphate group (-PO₄) of the adjacent nucleotide. This bond is essential for the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA and RNA.

Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options by analyzing their descriptions. For example, hydrogen bonds occur between complementary nitrogenous bases in DNA, not in the backbone. Ionic bonds are not involved in linking nucleotides, and peptide bonds are specific to amino acids in proteins.

Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of a phosphodiester bond is: 'A covalent bond linking the 3'-hydroxyl group of one nucleotide's sugar to the 5'-phosphate group of the next nucleotide.' This bond is crucial for the structural integrity of nucleic acids.