How does the 5' (5 prime) side differ from the 3' ( 3 prime) end?

The 5' (5 prime) end of a nucleic acid molecule, such as DNA or RNA, features a phosphate group attached to the fifth carbon of the sugar ring, while the 3' (3 prime) end has a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the third carbon of the sugar. This structural difference gives nucleic acids directionality, with the 5' to 3' orientation being crucial for processes like DNA replication and transcription. In DNA, the two strands run antiparallel, meaning one strand runs 5' to 3' while the complementary strand runs 3' to 5'.