Which structural component is found in DNA but not in RNA?
2 answers:
I believe the correct answer is B. Deoxyribose
<h2>Explanation:</h2>The nucleotide of a DNA is slightly different to that of RNA due to an addition of a hydroxyl (OH) on the sugar molecule on the RNA nucleotide located on position 2 of the nucleotide.
<h2>Further Explanation:</h2>The DNA and RNA molecules are almost similar.
<h3>1. Nitrogenous bases</h3>They both have a nitrogenous base on position one. The nitrogenous base can be one of the 5 bases Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine or Thymine which can be coded by their alternate Uracil in the right places. They are considered to be the building blocks of the DNA and RNA molecules.
<h3>2. Phosphate group</h3>Located on position 5 of the nucleotide of both in RNA and DNA is the phosphate group. It has important functions including forming part of an ATP molecule to provide the body with the required energy. They also activate proteins through a process called phosphorilation for example in the cAMP cycle they activate protein kinases.
<h3>3. Ribose</h3>On the second carbon position there is a ribose sugar. It has only one oxygen molecule linked to each one of the 5 carbon atoms. On the second carbon position, the oxygen molecule is bound to a hydrogen atom forming a hydroxyl (OH). It is only in the RNA that the ribose sugar exists giving it its name; Riboneucleic acid.
<h3>4. Deoxyribose</h3>The prefix deoxy- means that lack of oxygen. That is where the name deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) comes from. On the second carbon position of the nucleotide is where there is lack of the oxygen molecule that usually binds to the carbon and hydrogen molecules leaving a hydrogen only bound to the 2nd carbon position. This sugar is only found in the DNA molecule. This small lack of an oxygen bound to the hydrogen allows specific enzymes to be able to identify the difference between a DNA molecule and an RNA molecule.
<h2>Learn More:</h2>Level: College
Subject: Biology
Topic: Genetics
You might be interested in