DNA/RNA

• What creates phosphodiester linkages?

  5' phosphate linked to a 3' hydroxyl
• The backbone of RNA and DNA are both hydrophilic.
• The covalent backbone of DNA/RNA are subject to slow, nonenzymic hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bonds.
• RNA is hydrolyzed rapidly under alkaline conditions because of its 2' hydroxyl groups.
• a short nucleic acid is called an oligonucleotide
• A long nucleic acid is called a polynucleotide.
• Nucleic acids are characterized by strong absorption at wavelengths near 260nm.
• Base stacking helps to minimize the contact of the bases with water.
• Base-stacking helps stabilize the 3-D structure of nucleic acids.