In: Chemistry
Ans :- A phosphodiester bond is between two hydroxyl (OH) groups on the phosphate groups and 3’ and 5’ carbons on two independent sugar molecule(s).
Explanation:
In phosphodiester formation, two hydroxyl (OH) groups on the phosphate molecule bind to the 3’ and 5’ carbons on two independent pentose sugars. These are two condensation reactions, so two molecules of water are produced. The phosphate is then bonded to the sugars by two ester bonds, hence the nomenclature of phosphodiester bond. This reaction is catalysed by ligases, such as DNA ligase during DNA replication.
A representation of the reaction is shown in the diagram below.