Question

What forms the backbone of a polynucleotide strand of a nucleic acid?

Answer 1

A chain of nucleotides is called polynucleotide strand. In the polynucleotide strand, the adjacent nucleotides are linked with one another by phosphodiester bonds. Phosphodiester bonds are formed between a phosphate molecule and two sugars. So, sugars and nitrogen bases act as back bone to the polynucleotide chain.