Multiple Choice
In adenosine triphosphate (ATP), what is the name of the pentose sugar component?
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1. Introduction to Biochemistry
Nucleic Acids
Multiple Choice
In the context of nucleic acids, which type of biomolecule is ATP (adenosine triphosphate) most like in overall structure?
A
A nucleotide (a nucleoside plus phosphate groups)
B
A polypeptide (a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds)
C
A triglyceride (glycerol plus three fatty acids)
D
A disaccharide (two monosaccharides linked by a glycosidic bond)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the basic structure of nucleotides: they consist of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and one or more phosphate groups.
Recognize that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) contains the nitrogenous base adenine, the sugar ribose, and three phosphate groups attached in a chain.
Compare ATP's structure to the options given: polypeptides are chains of amino acids, triglycerides are glycerol with three fatty acids, and disaccharides are two sugars linked by glycosidic bonds.
Since ATP has a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate groups, it closely resembles a nucleotide, which is defined as a nucleoside (base + sugar) plus phosphate groups.
Conclude that ATP is most like a nucleotide in overall structure because it fits the nucleotide components and differs structurally from polypeptides, triglycerides, and disaccharides.
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