polynucleotide

[ pol-ee-noo-klee-uh-tahyd, -nyoo- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a sequence of nucleotides, as in DNA or RNA, bound into a chain.

polynucleotide

/ ˌpɒlɪˈnjuːklɪəˌtaɪd /

noun

1. biochem a molecular chain of nucleotides chemically bonded by a series of ester linkages between the phosphoryl group of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group of the sugar in the adjacent nucleotide. Nucleic acids consist of long chains of polynucleotides

Word History and Origins

Origin of polynucleotide¹

First recorded in 1910–15; poly- + nucleotide

Example Sentences

For instance, the traditional noir femme fatale, who provides the polynucleotide backbone of Catwoman’s narrative DNA, usually ends up in prison or dead.

From Washington Post

Given this conclusion, Maurice suspected that three polynucleotide chains were used to construct the helix.

From Literature

Almost every afternoon, knowing that I was on the tennis court, he would fretfully twist his head away from his work to see the polynucleotide backbone unattended.

From Literature

This made him think that the DNA molecule was a compound helix composed of several polynucleotide chains twisted about each other.

From Literature

Decisions had to be made about the number of polynucleotide chains within the DNA molecule.

From Literature