Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following nucleic acids contains thymine?
A
RNA
B
mRNA
C
tRNA
D
DNA
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic structure of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA are the two main types of nucleic acids. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, and RNA stands for ribonucleic acid.
Identify the components of DNA: DNA is composed of four nucleotide bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Thymine is unique to DNA and pairs with adenine.
Identify the components of RNA: RNA is composed of four nucleotide bases as well, but instead of thymine, it contains uracil (U). The bases in RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U).
Differentiate between types of RNA: mRNA (messenger RNA) and tRNA (transfer RNA) are types of RNA, and like all RNA, they contain uracil instead of thymine.
Conclude which nucleic acid contains thymine: Since thymine is found in DNA and not in RNA, mRNA, or tRNA, the nucleic acid that contains thymine is DNA.