Question

Which type of linkage is present in nucleic acids?

• A. Phosphodiester linkage
• B. Glycosidic linkage
• C. Peptide linkage
• D. None of these

Hint:

The phosphodiester bond in nucleic acids is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of DNA and RNA and allowing for the proper storage and transmission of genetic information.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are polymers made up of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base. The nucleotides are connected by phosphodiester linkages that form the backbone of the nucleic acid strand. A phosphodiester linkage occurs between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar molecule (specifically the hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon) of the next nucleotide. This bond is crucial for forming the long chains of nucleotides in both DNA and RNA
 Option (A) Phosphodiester linkage: Correct. This is the type of linkage present between nucleotides in nucleic acids.
Option (B) Glycosidic linkage: Incorrect. Glycosidic linkages are found between sugar and base in the nucleotide, not between the nucleotides themselves.
Option (C) Peptide linkage: Incorrect. Peptide linkages are found in proteins, linking amino acids together, not in nucleic acids.
Option (D) None of these: Incorrect. The correct linkage in nucleic acids is phosphodiester.

Thus, the correct answer is (A) Phosphodiester linkage.