In DNA, the pentose sugar serves as the monosaccharide. What is it?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $25.99Unlock all

Study for the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

In DNA, the pentose sugar serves as the monosaccharide. What is it?

Explanation:
In DNA, the sugar is a five-carbon sugar called 2-deoxyribose. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2′ position compared with ribose. This absence makes the DNA backbone more chemically stable, helping preserve genetic information over time. In contrast, RNA uses ribose, which has a hydroxyl group at the 2′ position, making RNA more reactive and less chemically stable. Fructose and glucose are six-carbon sugars (hexoses), not the pentose used in nucleic acids, so they aren’t the sugars that form the DNA backbone.

In DNA, the sugar is a five-carbon sugar called 2-deoxyribose. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2′ position compared with ribose. This absence makes the DNA backbone more chemically stable, helping preserve genetic information over time. In contrast, RNA uses ribose, which has a hydroxyl group at the 2′ position, making RNA more reactive and less chemically stable. Fructose and glucose are six-carbon sugars (hexoses), not the pentose used in nucleic acids, so they aren’t the sugars that form the DNA backbone.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy