A
polynucleotide molecule is a
biopolymer composed of 13 or more
nucleotide monomers covalently bonded in a chain.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and
RNA (ribonucleic acid) are examples of polynucleotides with distinct biological function. The prefix
poly comes from the
ancient Greek πολυς (polys,
many). DNA consists of two chains of polynucleotides, with each chain in the form of a helical spiral.