Enzymes that break down DNA catalyze the hydrolysis of the c

Enzymes that break down DNA catalyze the hydrolysis of the covalent bonds that join nucleotides together. What would happen to DNA molecules treated with these enzymes?

Please select one:

(a) The peptide bonds between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.

(b) The ester linkages between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.

(c) The two strands of the double helix would seperate.

(d) The phosphodiester linkages between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.

(e) The glycosidic bonds between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.

Solution

Answer:

(d) The phosphodiester linkages between deoxyribose sugars would be broken.

The phosphodiester bond is the linkage between the 3\' carbon atom of one sugar molecule and the 5\' carbon atom of another, deoxyribose in DNA.