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Multiple Choice
Which sugar is present in DNA, the nucleic acid typically represented by a double helix diagram?
A
Deoxyribose
B
Ribose
C
Fructose
D
Glucose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of DNA: DNA is a nucleic acid that is typically represented as a double helix. It consists of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA.
Recall the components of a nucleotide: Each nucleotide in DNA is composed of three parts: a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a sugar molecule.
Identify the sugar molecule in DNA: The sugar molecule in DNA is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms. This sugar is specifically deoxyribose, which is distinct from ribose found in RNA.
Compare deoxyribose and ribose: Deoxyribose lacks one oxygen atom on the 2' carbon compared to ribose. This difference is crucial in distinguishing DNA from RNA.
Eliminate incorrect options: Fructose and glucose are monosaccharides commonly involved in energy metabolism, not nucleic acids. Ribose is found in RNA, not DNA. Therefore, the correct sugar in DNA is deoxyribose.