Polymerization of Nucleotides

Definition

The process by which nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA and RNA) are linked together to form a long chain, or polymer.

Analogy

Think of the polymerization of nucleotides like stringing popcorn on a thread for holiday decorations. Each piece of popcorn represents a nucleotide, and the thread is the backbone that holds them all together. Just as you can create different patterns with your popcorn based on their size or color, in biology, the order in which nucleotides are strung together determines the genetic code.

Related terms

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA): The molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA): A polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles including coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes.

Nucleotide: The basic building block of DNA and RNA consisting of a base (adenine, guanine, cytosine or thymine for DNA; adenine, guanine, cytosine or uracil for RNA), a sugar molecule and one phosphate group.