Polynucleotide
Polynucleotide
Polynucleotide (pronunciation: /ˌpɒliˈnjuːklɪəˌtaɪd/) is a biologically significant molecule composed of a chain of nucleotides.
Etymology
The term "polynucleotide" is derived from the Greek prefix poly- meaning "many", and nucleotide, which refers to the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.
Definition
A polynucleotide is a long, linear polymer whose molecule is composed of many nucleotides, each consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base. The individual nucleotides are joined together through phosphodiester bonds, forming a backbone of sugar-phosphate units with nitrogenous bases as side chains.
Types
There are two main types of polynucleotides:
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): This is the genetic material in humans and almost all other organisms. It contains the instructions used in the development and functioning of all living organisms.
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA): This molecule plays a central role in the pathway from DNA to protein, functioning as a messenger molecule.
Related Terms
- Nucleotide: The basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.
- Phosphate: A component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and other biological molecules.
- Sugar: A component of DNA and RNA. In DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose; in RNA, the sugar is ribose.
- Nitrogenous base: A component of DNA and RNA. The nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. In RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polynucleotide
- Wikipedia's article - Polynucleotide
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