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In nucleic acids, the nitrogenous base and the phosphate group are attached to which positions of the sugar in DNA and RNA, respectively?

1. At the 5′ carbon and the 1′ carbon of the sugar, respectively
2. At the 1′ carbon and the 5′ carbon of the sugar, respectively
3. At the 2′ carbon and the 5′ carbon of the sugar, respectively
4. At the 3′ carbon and the 2′ carbon of the sugar, respectively

Correct answer: At the 1′ carbon and the 5′ carbon of the sugar, respectively

Solution

In a nucleotide the nitrogenous base is attached by an N-glycosidic bond to the 1' carbon of the (deoxy)ribose sugar, while the phosphate group esterifies the 5' carbon. Hence base -> 1', phosphate -> 5'.

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