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Multiple Choice
Which sugar is found in the backbone of DNA?
A
Glucose
B
Fructose
C
Ribose
D
Deoxyribose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of DNA: DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is composed of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases. The sugar in the backbone is crucial for the structure and function of DNA.
Recall the type of sugar found in DNA: The sugar in DNA is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms. This sugar is specifically deoxyribose, which is a modified form of ribose where one oxygen atom is removed from the 2' carbon.
Compare the options provided: Glucose and fructose are hexose sugars (six-carbon sugars) and are not part of the DNA structure. Ribose is a pentose sugar found in RNA, not DNA. Deoxyribose is the correct sugar found in DNA.
Understand the significance of deoxyribose: The absence of an oxygen atom in deoxyribose (compared to ribose) makes DNA more chemically stable than RNA, which is important for its role in long-term genetic storage.
Conclude that the sugar found in the backbone of DNA is deoxyribose, as it is specifically designed to form the structure of DNA and differentiate it from RNA.