Multiple Choice
Which type of bond holds the two complementary strands of DNA together?
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7. DNA and Chromosome Structure
DNA Structure
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Which two components of a nucleotide are covalently bonded to form the backbone of DNA?
A
Deoxyribose sugar and nitrogenous base
B
Two nitrogenous bases
C
Nitrogenous base and phosphate group
D
Phosphate group and deoxyribose sugar
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the structure of a nucleotide, which consists of three components: a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Understand that the DNA backbone is formed by repeating units of sugar and phosphate groups linked together.
Recognize that the covalent bond forming the backbone is a phosphodiester bond, which connects the 3' carbon of one sugar to the 5' carbon of the next sugar via a phosphate group.
Note that the nitrogenous bases are attached to the sugar but do not participate in forming the backbone; instead, they extend inward to pair with complementary bases.
Therefore, the two components covalently bonded to form the DNA backbone are the phosphate group and the deoxyribose sugar.
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