Polynucleotide is a term commonly used in the field of biology to describe a chain of nucleotides - the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The word is spelled phonetically as pɒlɪˈnuːklɪətaɪd, with a stress on the first syllable. The "polynu-" part of the word relates to the multiple or many nature of the nucleotides, while the "-cleotide" signifies the specific type of molecules that make up the chain. Understanding the pronunciation and spelling of polynucleotide is important for effective communication in the scientific community.
A polynucleotide is a term generally used in the field of molecular biology to describe a chain-like molecule composed of nucleotide units. A nucleotide is a biomolecule made up of three essential components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a phosphate group. These components come together to form a nucleotide unit. When a series of nucleotide units are linked together through a phosphodiester bond, they form a polynucleotide chain.
Polynucleotides are an integral part of nucleic acids, such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). In these biological macromolecules, polynucleotide chains are formed by the sequential arrangement of nucleotides, with each nucleotide unit connected to the previous one by a phosphodiester bond between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar moiety of the next nucleotide in the chain.
The sequence of nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain carries genetic information and plays a crucial role in the functioning of living organisms. DNA, for instance, encodes the genetic instructions necessary for the development, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms. RNA, on the other hand, participates in various cellular processes such as protein synthesis, gene regulation, and catalysis of biochemical reactions.
The study of polynucleotides has contributed significantly to our understanding of genetics, evolution, and various cellular mechanisms, making it a fundamental concept in molecular biology.
A complex nucleic acid combined with several bases.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "polynucleotide" is derived from two Greek roots: "poly", meaning many or multiple, and "nucleotide", which refers to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The term was coined in the early 20th century to describe a polymer consisting of many nucleotide units joined together.