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Multiple Choice
Which sugar is found in the backbone of RNA?
A
Deoxyribose
B
Fructose
C
Glucose
D
Ribose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of RNA: RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid composed of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify the sugar in RNA: The sugar in RNA is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms. This sugar is different from the one found in DNA.
Compare RNA and DNA sugars: RNA contains ribose, which has a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the 2' carbon of the sugar. DNA contains deoxyribose, which lacks the hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, having only a hydrogen (-H) instead.
Eliminate incorrect options: Fructose and glucose are monosaccharides commonly involved in energy metabolism, not nucleic acid backbones. Deoxyribose is specific to DNA, not RNA.
Conclude that ribose is the correct sugar: Ribose is the sugar found in the backbone of RNA, providing structural support and enabling the formation of phosphodiester bonds with phosphate groups.