Which statement about the sugar components of DNA and RNA is true?

Which statement about the sugar components of DNA and RNA is true?

• A. DNA uses deoxyribose; RNA uses ribose
• B. DNA uses ribose; RNA uses deoxyribose
• C. Both use ribose
• D. Both use deoxyribose

Answer: (A)

Understanding the sugars in DNA and RNA is about recognizing their nucleotide components. DNA uses deoxyribose, while RNA uses ribose. The deoxyribose in DNA lacks a 2' hydroxyl group, which makes the sugar moiety and the overall molecule more chemically stable and less prone to hydrolysis. This stability fits DNA’s role as the long-term storage of genetic information in a double helix. RNA’s ribose has a 2' hydroxyl, adding reactivity and making RNA generally less stable, which aligns with its more dynamic, functional roles in the cell, including catalysis and regulation. Therefore, the true statement is that DNA uses deoxyribose and RNA uses ribose. The other options contradict the established differences in the sugar components.

Understanding the sugars in DNA and RNA is about recognizing their nucleotide components. DNA uses deoxyribose, while RNA uses ribose. The deoxyribose in DNA lacks a 2' hydroxyl group, which makes the sugar moiety and the overall molecule more chemically stable and less prone to hydrolysis. This stability fits DNA’s role as the long-term storage of genetic information in a double helix. RNA’s ribose has a 2' hydroxyl, adding reactivity and making RNA generally less stable, which aligns with its more dynamic, functional roles in the cell, including catalysis and regulation. Therefore, the true statement is that DNA uses deoxyribose and RNA uses ribose. The other options contradict the established differences in the sugar components.