Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Primary Structure of Nucleic Acids

GOB Chemistry

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Primary Structure of Nucleic Acids

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3:47 minutes

Problem 19

Textbook Question

What component in a nucleic acid determines the 5' free end?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, have a directionality, which is indicated by the 5' and 3' ends.

Recognize that the 5' end of a nucleic acid strand refers to the end where the fifth carbon in the sugar ring of the nucleotide is free or unbound.

Identify that the sugar in nucleic acids is either ribose (in RNA) or deoxyribose (in DNA), and the 5' carbon is part of this sugar structure.

Note that the 5' end is typically characterized by a free phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar.

Conclude that the presence of this free phosphate group at the 5' carbon of the sugar determines the 5' free end of a nucleic acid.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are polymers made up of nucleotide monomers. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base. The structure of nucleic acids is directional, with a 5' end that has a phosphate group attached to the fifth carbon of the sugar, and a 3' end that has a hydroxyl group on the third carbon.

5' and 3' Ends

The terms 5' (five prime) and 3' (three prime) refer to the orientation of the sugar molecule in the nucleotide. The 5' end is characterized by the presence of a phosphate group, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group. This directional notation is crucial for understanding the synthesis and function of nucleic acids, as they are synthesized in a 5' to 3' direction.

Phosphate Group

The phosphate group is a key component of nucleotides that links them together to form the backbone of nucleic acids. It is attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar in a nucleotide, which defines the 5' free end of the nucleic acid strand. The presence of this phosphate group is essential for the structural integrity and function of nucleic acids.