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Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules is the pentose sugar found in RNA?
A
Ribose
B
Deoxyribose
C
Glucose
D
Fructose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the structure of RNA. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid composed of nucleotides, each containing a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a pentose sugar.
Step 2: Recall the definition of a pentose sugar. A pentose sugar is a monosaccharide with five carbon atoms. In RNA, the pentose sugar is crucial for forming the backbone of the molecule.
Step 3: Differentiate between ribose and deoxyribose. Ribose is the pentose sugar found in RNA, while deoxyribose is found in DNA. Ribose contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group on the 2' carbon, whereas deoxyribose lacks this hydroxyl group, having only a hydrogen (-H) at the 2' carbon.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. Glucose and fructose are hexose sugars (six-carbon sugars) and are not part of nucleic acids. Deoxyribose is specific to DNA, not RNA.
Step 5: Conclude that ribose is the correct answer, as it is the pentose sugar found in RNA, forming part of its nucleotide structure.