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Multiple Choice
What is the primary structural difference between RNA and DNA?
A
RNA is double-stranded, while DNA is single-stranded.
B
RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
C
RNA contains thymine, while DNA contains uracil.
D
RNA has a phosphate backbone, while DNA does not.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the basic structure of nucleic acids. Both RNA and DNA are composed of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify the sugar component in each type of nucleic acid. RNA contains ribose sugar, which has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2' carbon. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, which lacks the hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, having only a hydrogen atom instead.
Recognize the nitrogenous bases present in RNA and DNA. RNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, while DNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
Understand the structural form of RNA and DNA. RNA is typically single-stranded, allowing it to fold into various shapes, whereas DNA is usually double-stranded, forming a stable double helix structure.
Note the presence of the phosphate backbone in both RNA and DNA. This backbone is crucial for the structural integrity of both molecules, providing a framework that links the nucleotides together.