Which type of bond links adjacent nucleotides in DNA?

Adjacent nucleotides in DNA are linked by phosphodiester bonds. These bonds form between the 5' phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl group of the next nucleotide, creating the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA strand. This linkage is crucial for forming the structural framework of DNA and allows for the stability and integrity of the molecule.

Phosphodiester bonds are particularly strong and stable, allowing the DNA to maintain its structure through various environmental conditions. The sequence of nucleotides along this backbone encodes genetic information, making these bonds essential for the function and durability of DNA.

Other types of bonds mentioned, such as hydrogen bonds, play a role in stabilizing the double helix structure formed by base pairing between two strands of DNA but do not connect adjacent nucleotides within a single strand. Peptide bonds are specific to proteins and connect amino acids, while phosphoanhydride bonds relate to the energy storage in ATP and other nucleotides, not the structure of DNA itself.