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Multiple Choice

RNA nucleotides contain a sugar called?

RNA nucleotides use a five-carbon sugar called ribose. This distinguishes RNA from DNA, whose nucleotides use deoxyribose. The key difference is at the 2' position: ribose has a hydroxyl group (2'-OH) while deoxyribose has only hydrogen there. That extra OH makes RNA more chemically reactive and less stable, contributing to its usually shorter lifespan in cells. Glucose and fructose are unrelated metabolic sugars and aren’t part of nucleotides.

RNA nucleotides use a five-carbon sugar called ribose. This distinguishes RNA from DNA, whose nucleotides use deoxyribose. The key difference is at the 2' position: ribose has a hydroxyl group (2'-OH) while deoxyribose has only hydrogen there. That extra OH makes RNA more chemically reactive and less stable, contributing to its usually shorter lifespan in cells. Glucose and fructose are unrelated metabolic sugars and aren’t part of nucleotides.