Number of linkage groups in a polynucleotide would be

Options

A. Same as number of nucleotides
B. Twice the number of nucleotides
C. One less than the number of nucleotides
D. One

Answer

To determine the number of linkage groups in a polynucleotide, we need to follow a series of logical steps based on our understanding of genetics and molecular biology.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Polynucleotide Structure**:
A polynucleotide is a long chain of nucleotides. In the context of DNA, it consists of two complementary strands that form a double helix. Each nucleotide is composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar (deoxyribose in DNA), and a phosphate group.

**Hint**: Recall that a polynucleotide is made up of many nucleotides linked together.

2. **Identifying Linkage Groups**:
In genetics, a linkage group refers to a set of genes that tend to be inherited together due to their physical proximity on the same chromosome. Each chromosome represents one linkage group.

**Hint**: Think about how genes are organized on chromosomes and how they can be linked based on their location.

3. **Relating Polynucleotides to Chromosomes**:
In eukaryotic organisms, DNA is organized into chromosomes. Each chromosome is essentially a single polynucleotide chain. Therefore, if we consider a single polynucleotide, it corresponds to one chromosome.

**Hint**: Consider how many chromosomes are present in a typical cell and how they relate to polynucleotide chains.

4. **Conclusion on Linkage Groups**:
Since each chromosome represents one linkage group, and a single polynucleotide corresponds to one chromosome, we conclude that there is one linkage group in a single polynucleotide.

**Hint**: Remember that the number of linkage groups is directly related to the number of chromosomes present.

### Final Answer:
In a single polynucleotide, there is **one linkage group**.