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Multiple Choice
How many carbon atoms are present in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)?
A
4
B
3
C
6
D
5
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the structure of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). RuBP is a sugar molecule involved in the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. It is a phosphorylated derivative of ribulose, which is a pentose sugar (5-carbon sugar).
Step 2: Recall that ribulose is a pentose sugar, meaning it contains 5 carbon atoms in its backbone. This is a key characteristic of ribulose and other pentoses.
Step 3: Note that the '1,5-bisphosphate' designation refers to the addition of phosphate groups at the 1st and 5th carbon positions of the ribulose molecule. These phosphate groups do not alter the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
Step 4: Confirm that the addition of phosphate groups does not change the carbon count. The molecule remains a pentose sugar with 5 carbon atoms.
Step 5: Conclude that ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) contains 5 carbon atoms, consistent with its classification as a pentose sugar.