What sugar is present in DNA?

Prepare for your College Biology Exam 1 with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Test your understanding with detailed explanations and hints to ensure success in your biology exam!

Multiple Choice

What sugar is present in DNA?

Explanation:
The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, a five-carbon sugar that forms the backbone of DNA. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' position compared with ribose. This missing oxygen makes DNA more chemically stable, helping it store genetic information over long periods without breaking down. RNA uses ribose, which has a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, making RNA more reactive and less stable. Glucose and fructose are hexoses used mainly for energy metabolism and are not components of nucleic acid backbones.

The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, a five-carbon sugar that forms the backbone of DNA. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' position compared with ribose. This missing oxygen makes DNA more chemically stable, helping it store genetic information over long periods without breaking down. RNA uses ribose, which has a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, making RNA more reactive and less stable. Glucose and fructose are hexoses used mainly for energy metabolism and are not components of nucleic acid backbones.

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