What is the nature of the usual linkage between nucleic acids and proteins in nucleoproteins?
A) Hydrogen bonding.
B) Covalent ester formation between phosphoric acid of nucleic acids and basic amino acids of proteins.
C) Ionic linkages between phosphoric acid of nucleic acids and basic amino acids of proteins.
D) Van der Waals interactions between bases of nucleic acids and side chains of amino acids of protein.
E) A mixture of covalent linkages and hydrogen bonding.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The usual linkage between nucleic acids and proteins in nucleoproteins is ionic linkage between phosphoric acid of nucleic acids (negatively charged) and basic amino acids of proteins (positively charged), creating stable electrostatic interactions.

Answer: E
 While the primary linkage is ionic, there may also be some hydrogen bonding between the bases of nucleic acids and the side chains of amino acids in proteins. Therefore, a mixture of covalent linkages (ionic linkage) and hydrogen bonding is the best choice.

What Is the Nature of the Usual Linkage Between Nucleic