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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a component of nucleic acids?
A
Fatty acid
B
Phosphate group
C
Nitrogenous base
D
Pentose sugar
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of nucleic acids: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are composed of three main components: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify the role of each component: The phosphate group forms the backbone of the nucleic acid structure, the pentose sugar (either ribose or deoxyribose) connects to the phosphate group, and the nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil) pairs with another base to form the rungs of the nucleic acid ladder.
Recognize the components listed in the problem: Review the options given: fatty acid, phosphate group, nitrogenous base, and pentose sugar.
Compare the components: Fatty acids are not involved in the structure of nucleic acids. They are primarily components of lipids, which are different types of biological molecules.
Conclude which component is not part of nucleic acids: Based on the comparison, identify that fatty acids are not a component of nucleic acids, unlike the other options listed.