Question

How do nucleotides bond to form nucleic acids? State and explain several differences between the structure of DNA and that of RNA.

Answer 1

• Nucleotides link together by the formation of phosphate ester bonds.
• The hydroxyl group of phosphate on one nucleotide undergoes a condensation reaction with the hydroxyl group on the carbohydrate ring of another nucleotide. This way the nucleotides bond to form nucleic acid molecules.

DNA and RNA structural differences in three ways

1. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar while RNA contains ribose sugar
2. DNA exists as a double helical structure inside the nucleus while RNA is single stranded
3. The pyrimidine also differs in both these nucleic acids thymine is present in DNA while in RNA uracil is found.