Final answer:
A phosphodiester bond forms between the 5' phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3' hydroxyl group of another, contributing to the structure of nucleic acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement that describes the connection between two nucleotides is that a phosphodiester bond would form between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and a hydroxyl group of the second nucleotide. Specifically, this bond is formed between the phosphate group attached to the 5' carbon of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group attached to the 3' carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, creating a backbone for the DNA or RNA molecule.
During this process of linkage, known as dehydration synthesis, a molecule of water is produced, and a bond is established, contributing to the formation of a long chain of nucleotides, which is the basis of the nucleic acid structure. The sugar-phosphate backbones which the phosphodiester bonds create are fundamental to the structural integrity of nucleic acids.