In a DNA sequence, nucleotide sequences are connected through a fascinating process. Let’s dive into the details:
Nucleotides and Polynucleotides:
Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide consists of three components:
A sugar molecule (deoxyribose in DNA).
A phosphate group.
A nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).
These nucleotides link together to form a polynucleotide chain.
Phosphodiester Bonds:
The nucleotide monomers in a DNA polymer are connected by strong electromagnetic attractions called phosphodiester bonds.
These bonds form between the 5’ phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3’ hydroxyl group of the adjacent nucleotide.
As new nucleotides are added to the chain, it grows at its 3’ end, creating a linear sequence.
This continuous chain of sugar-phosphate-sugar-phosphate forms the backbone of the DNA strand 12.
Directionality:
DNA sequences are usually written in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
This means that the nucleotide at the 5’ end comes first, and the nucleotide at the 3’ end comes last.
As new nucleotides are added, the chain extends at the 3’ end, with each incoming nucleotide attaching to the hydroxyl group of the previous one 1.
In summary, the intricate connections between nucleotides create the remarkable DNA structure, encoding genetic information that shapes life itself! 🧬🔗
