The backbone of a nucleic acid molecule consists of
A)alternating sugar and phosphate groups linked by phosphate ester bonds.
B)alternating sugar and nitrogen base groups linked by amide bonds.
C)alternating nitrogen bases and phosphate groups linked by amide bonds and strengthened by hydrogen bonds.
D)sugar molecules bonded from the #3 carbon of one molecule to the #5 carbon of the other by glycosidic linkages.
E)complementary bases joined by hydrogen bonds.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The backbone of a nucleic acid molecule is composed of a repeating pattern of alternating sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) and phosphate groups linked by a phosphate ester bond. This forms a strong, stable structure that provides support for the nitrogenous bases that make up the "rungs" of the DNA ladder.

The Backbone of a Nucleic Acid Molecule Consists of