a1.2.5 - RNA polymers

Question 1

describe the condensation reaction that forms a polymer of RNA from RNA nucleotides.

Answer 1

• RNA nucleotides connect by creating covalent bonds between the ribose sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate group of another nucleotide in a condensation reaction.
• the 5’ phosphate group on one RNA nucleotide forms a new covalent bond with the 3’ carbon on the ribose of the next nucleotide. water is created as a biproduct.

Question 2

draw a short section of an RNA polymer (using circle, pentagon and rectangle)

Answer 2

• include at least three RNA nucleotides, drawn as circle (phosphate), hexagon (ribose) and rectangle (base).
• be sure the phosphate of one nucleotide is connected to the 2’C of the adjacent nucleotide.