So the 3′ and 5′ is a naming convention that relates to organic chemistry, and how we name the carbon positions in atoms. [This image](https://images.app.goo.gl/x3CfLiG4VhjuuSJ18) of ribose and deoxyribose show us the systematic numbering of the carbon ring structure. Note how both the ribose and deoxyribose share the same 3 position and 5 position, which is why the 3′ and 5′ ends are the same for RNA and DNA
Ultimately, when it comes to DNA/RNA, the 5′ end has a phosphate exposed, while the 3′ end has a carbohydrate (hydroxyl) end exposed. This difference explains why it is important to differentiate between the two ends in terms of what chemistry can happen at each location.
So the 3′ and 5′ is a naming convention that relates to organic chemistry, and how we name the carbon positions in atoms. [This image](https://images.app.goo.gl/x3CfLiG4VhjuuSJ18) of ribose and deoxyribose show us the systematic numbering of the carbon ring structure. Note how both the ribose and deoxyribose share the same 3 position and 5 position, which is why the 3′ and 5′ ends are the same for RNA and DNA
Ultimately, when it comes to DNA/RNA, the 5′ end has a phosphate exposed, while the 3′ end has a carbohydrate (hydroxyl) end exposed. This difference explains why it is important to differentiate between the two ends in terms of what chemistry can happen at each location.