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polynucleotide

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Also known as polynucleotides

In molecular biology, a polynucleotide () is a biopolymer composed of nucleotide monomers that are covalently bonded in a chain. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are examples of polynucleotides with distinct biological functions. DNA consists of two chains of polynucleotides, with each chain in the form of a helix (like a spiral staircase).

~3 min read

Encyclopedic overview

6 sections
Contents
  • Sequence
  • Polynucleotides in organisms
  • Polynucleotides in scientific experiments
  • Prebiotic condensation of nucleobases with ribose
  • Medical use
  • References

In molecular biology, a polynucleotide () is a biopolymer composed of nucleotide monomers that are covalently bonded in a chain. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are examples of polynucleotides with distinct biological functions. DNA consists of two chains of polynucleotides, with each chain in the form of a helix (like a spiral staircase).

==Sequence== Although DNA and RNA do not generally occur in the same polynucleotide, the four species of nucleotides may occur in any order in the chain. The sequence of DNA or RNA species for a given polynucleotide is the main factor determining its function in a living organism or a scientific experiment.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “polynucleotide” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.