How are nucleotides linked together to form a polynucleotide chain? view available hint(s) how are nucleotides linked together to form a polynucleotide chain? in rna but not dna, a phosphodiester linkage connects the 2' carbon of one nucleotide and the 5' carbon of another. in dna and rna, a phosphodiester linkage connects the 3' carbon of one nucleotide and the 5' carbon of another. in dna but not rna, a phosphodiester linkage connects the 3' carbon of one nucleotide and the 5' carbon of another. in dna and rna, a peptide bond connects the 3' carbon of one nucleotide and the 5' carbon of another. previous answers

The correct answer is: In DNA and RNA, a phosphodiester linkage connects the 3' carbon of one nucleotide and the 5' carbon of another.  

The phosphate of one nucleotide is covalently bound to the sugar of the next nucleotide in DNA molecule (or hydroxyl groups in phosphoric acid react with hydroxyl groups on 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule (deoxyribose) and the 5' carbon atom of another sugar molecule (deoxyribose) to form two ester bonds). In RNA molecule linkage is between the 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule (ribose) and the 5' carbon atom of another, (ribose).  

Hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds is catalyzed by the action of enzymes phosphodiesterases.