Which statement about the addition of a nucleotide onto a growing nucleic acid is true?
A) A hydrolysis reaction occurs between the last nucleotide in the chain and the new nucleotide.
B) The phosphate on the added nucleotide attaches to the 5′ carbon atom of a sugar on the chain.
C) The resulting bond between nucleotides is called a glycosidic linkage.
D) Because of how each nucleotide is added to the chain, nucleic acids are said to grow in the 5′-to-3′ direction.
E) A bond forms between the phosphate of the last nucleotide and the pentose sugar of the new nucleotide.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nucleic acids are synthesized in the 5′-to-3′ direction, meaning that the phosphate group of the new nucleotide is added to the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the previous nucleotide. The phosphate group attached to the 5′ carbon of the new nucleotide is the site of attachment for the next nucleotide in the chain. The resulting bond between nucleotides is called a phosphodiester linkage. A hydrolysis reaction occurs when nucleotides are broken apart, not when they are added to the chain. The glycosidic linkage refers to the specific type of covalent bond that forms between the sugar and base of a nucleotide.

Which Statement About the Addition of a Nucleotide onto a Growing