MDCAT Biology MCQ #833

A student compares the pentose sugars in RNA and DNA. What is the primary chemical difference found at the carbon-2 position of these sugars?

MDCAT Biology MCQ #833

  1. Question 1

    Q1. A student compares the pentose sugars in RNA and DNA. What is the primary chemical difference found at the carbon-2 position of these sugars?

    • A) The number of carbon atoms
    • B) The presence of a phosphate group
    • C) The presence of oxygen at C2
    • D) The type of nitrogenous base

    Answer: The presence of oxygen at C2

    Explanation: Ribose has a hydroxyl (-OH) group at the second carbon (C2), whereas deoxyribose has a hydrogen atom (-H) at that same position.