Which end of a DNA strand carries the terminal phosphate group?

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Multiple Choice

Which end of a DNA strand carries the terminal phosphate group?

Explanation:
DNA strands are defined by the group on the terminal sugar. The backbone links by phosphodiester bonds between the 5' phosphate of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl of the next, so the free end has a phosphate attached to the 5' carbon of the terminal sugar. The opposite end has a free 3' hydroxyl. Therefore, the end carrying the terminal phosphate group is the 5' end. The 3' end would have a hydroxyl, not a phosphate, and a 5' hydroxyl or a 3' phosphate end wouldn’t match how the ends are structured in a normal DNA strand.

DNA strands are defined by the group on the terminal sugar. The backbone links by phosphodiester bonds between the 5' phosphate of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl of the next, so the free end has a phosphate attached to the 5' carbon of the terminal sugar. The opposite end has a free 3' hydroxyl. Therefore, the end carrying the terminal phosphate group is the 5' end. The 3' end would have a hydroxyl, not a phosphate, and a 5' hydroxyl or a 3' phosphate end wouldn’t match how the ends are structured in a normal DNA strand.

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