Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which feature distinguishes an RNA nucleotide from a DNA nucleotide?
A
The presence of thymine as a base
B
The presence of a phosphate group
C
The presence of a ribose sugar
D
The presence of a deoxyribose sugar
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the structural components of nucleotides, which include a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Understand that both RNA and DNA nucleotides contain a phosphate group, so this feature does not distinguish them.
Recognize that the nitrogenous bases in DNA include adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, while in RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil.
Focus on the sugar component: DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.
Conclude that the presence of ribose sugar in RNA, as opposed to deoxyribose sugar in DNA, is the distinguishing feature between RNA and DNA nucleotides.