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Multiple Choice
A pentose sugar is a component of the monomer used to build which type of macromolecule?
A
Polysaccharides
B
Lipids
C
Nucleic acids
D
Proteins
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the structure of a pentose sugar. A pentose sugar is a five-carbon sugar, and examples include ribose and deoxyribose. These sugars are key components in certain macromolecules.
Step 2: Recall the types of macromolecules. The four major types of macromolecules are polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Each has distinct building blocks and functions.
Step 3: Identify the role of pentose sugars in macromolecules. Pentose sugars are specifically found in nucleic acids, where they form part of the backbone structure of DNA and RNA. Ribose is found in RNA, and deoxyribose is found in DNA.
Step 4: Compare pentose sugars with the building blocks of other macromolecules. Polysaccharides are made of monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), lipids are composed of glycerol and fatty acids, and proteins are made of amino acids. Pentose sugars are not components of these macromolecules.
Step 5: Conclude that pentose sugars are integral to nucleic acids, as they combine with phosphate groups and nitrogenous bases to form nucleotides, the monomers of DNA and RNA.