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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a key difference between mRNA and DNA?
A
mRNA has a deoxyribose sugar while DNA has a ribose sugar.
B
mRNA is double-stranded while DNA is single-stranded.
C
mRNA is more stable than DNA.
D
mRNA contains uracil instead of thymine.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the structural components of mRNA and DNA. mRNA (messenger RNA) is a single-stranded nucleic acid, while DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is typically double-stranded.
Understand the sugar component in the backbone of each molecule. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, whereas mRNA contains ribose sugar.
Examine the nitrogenous bases present in each molecule. DNA contains adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. mRNA contains adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine.
Recognize the key difference in nitrogenous bases: mRNA contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T), which is found in DNA.
Conclude that the presence of uracil in mRNA instead of thymine is a fundamental difference between mRNA and DNA, making it the correct answer to the problem.