The polynucleotide chain of DNA has polarity: the 5' end has a bound ____, while the 3' end has a bound ____.
A) deoxyribose sugar, ribose sugar
B) adenine, thymine
C) cytosine, guanine
D) hydroxyl group, phosphate group
E) phosphate group, hydroxyl group

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The 5' end of a DNA strand has a phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of the sugar, while the 3' end has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 3' carbon of the sugar. This gives DNA its directionality or polarity.

The Polynucleotide Chain of DNA Has Polarity: the 5' End