The 5' end of the sugar-phosphate backbone is the

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Multiple Choice

The 5' end of the sugar-phosphate backbone is the

Explanation:
This question tests understanding of the ends of the DNA sugar–phosphate backbone and how they define directionality. The backbone is made of alternating sugar molecules and phosphate groups linked by phosphodiester bonds. At the end where the last sugar has its 5' carbon bearing a phosphate group, that end is the 5' end, because the terminal group is a free phosphate. The other end ends with a free hydroxyl on the 3' carbon of the terminal sugar, making it the 3' end. Since nucleotides are added to the growing chain at the 3' end, the 5' end is the one that carries the free phosphate group. So the correct description of the 5' end is that it has a free phosphate group, while the 3' end has a free hydroxyl.

This question tests understanding of the ends of the DNA sugar–phosphate backbone and how they define directionality. The backbone is made of alternating sugar molecules and phosphate groups linked by phosphodiester bonds. At the end where the last sugar has its 5' carbon bearing a phosphate group, that end is the 5' end, because the terminal group is a free phosphate. The other end ends with a free hydroxyl on the 3' carbon of the terminal sugar, making it the 3' end. Since nucleotides are added to the growing chain at the 3' end, the 5' end is the one that carries the free phosphate group. So the correct description of the 5' end is that it has a free phosphate group, while the 3' end has a free hydroxyl.

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