Question

What structural difference exists between the pentose sugar found in DNA and the pentose sugar found in RNA?

Options

• DNA contains ribose with a 2′-OH group; RNA contains deoxyribose without a 2′-OH group

• Both DNA and RNA contain identical pentose sugars with the same functional groups

• DNA contains deoxyribose which lacks the 2′-OH group; RNA contains ribose which has the 2′-OH group

• DNA contains glucose; RNA contains deoxyribose

Answer 1

The key structural difference is the presence of the 2′-OH group. DNA has deoxyribose which lacks this hydroxyl group at the 2′ carbon, making DNA more stable. RNA has ribose with the 2′-OH group, which makes RNA more reactive and less stable than DNA.