The presence or absence of hydroxyl group on which carbon atom of sugar differentiates RNA and DNA ?
- (A)✓ Correct
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
Answer: (A)
Solution
RNA is built on ribose and DNA on 2-deoxyribose, and the single difference between these sugars is at the carbon: ribose carries a hydroxyl group there, whereas in deoxyribose that position holds only hydrogen. So it is the presence or absence of the on the second carbon of the sugar that distinguishes RNA from DNA.
JEE Main · 2011 · 10 Apr 2011 · Offline · Single correct option